A sophomore is a student in their second year of high school or college. The word comes from Greek roots meaning “wise fool,” which might seem like an insult but actually captures something interesting about being in your second year: you know enough to feel confident, but you're still learning and can make mistakes because of overconfidence.

In high school, sophomores are no longer the newest students figuring everything out. They know where their classes are, they understand how the school works, and they've made friends. But they're also not yet upperclassmen with the experience and privileges of juniors and seniors. It's a middle position: past the beginning, but still with a long way to go.

The term can also describe someone in their second year of any activity. A sophomore album is a musician's second album, often watched closely to see if they can match the success of their first. Sometimes people talk about a sophomore slump, when someone's second attempt isn't as strong as their first, perhaps because early confidence led them to prepare less carefully.