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Definition of sophocles

sophocles

/ˈsɑː.fə.kliːz/
Soph · o · cles
Adjective:Sophoclean
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sophocles Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A renowned ancient Greek tragedian of the 5th century BCE (c. 496–406 BCE), celebrated as one of the three great classical Athenian playwrights and the author of enduring dramatic works such as 'Oedipus Rex' and 'Antigone'.

Example

"In our classical literature seminar, we analyzed how Sophocles used dramatic irony to heighten tension in his Theban plays."

• Nearby Words

sophisticated
sophisticatedly
sophistication
sophocles
sophomore
sophomoric
sophora

Word Origin & Etymology

Via Latin from the Ancient Greek personal name Sophoklēs, a compound of sophos ('wise, skilled') and kleos ('glory, fame'), literally meaning 'famous for wisdom'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sophocles. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sophocles
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