experience
ihk-SPEER-reerns
Experience (noun) means Knowledge or skill gained by doing something over time. Example: “She has ten years of experience in marketing.”
noun
1
Knowledge or skill gained by doing something over time.
"She has ten years of experience in marketing."
"Nothing beats hands-on experience when learning a new skill."
"You don't need any experience to join our beginners' cooking class."
2
Something that happens to you, especially something memorable.
"Traveling alone was a life-changing experience for him."
"Her first day at sea was an experience she would never forget."
"Getting lost in a foreign city was a frightening but useful experience."
verb
1
To go through or undergo something personally.
"They experienced heavy delays during the storm."
"Many people experience some nervousness before speaking in front of a large crowd."
"Visitors to the north often experience bitterly cold winds during the winter."
How to use experience
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the knowledge you build up over time by doing things, or a single memorable event you lived through.
Common pairings
work experience
gain experience
a great experience
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Word forms
- Plural
- experiences
- Third person singular
- experiences
- Past tense
- experienced
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She has ten years of _____ in marketing.
Etymology
From Latin experientia, "a trial, proof, experience," from experiri ("to try, test"), the same root that gives us "expert."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for experience
See all rhymes for experience →Frequently asked questions
What does “experience” mean?
The word “experience” means knowledge or skill gained by doing something over time. In plain terms, either the knowledge you build up over time by doing things, or a single memorable event you lived through.
How do you pronounce “experience”?
“Experience” is pronounced ihk-SPEER-reerns (/ɪkˈspɪɹ.i.əns/ in IPA).
How do you use “experience” in a sentence?
Here is “experience” used in a sentence: “She has ten years of experience in marketing.”
What is the opposite of “experience”?
The opposite of “experience” — its antonyms — is inexperience.
What part of speech is “experience”?
Depending on how it is used, “experience” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “experience” come from?
The word “experience” comes from Latin. From Latin experientia, "a trial, proof, experience," from experiri ("to try, test"), the same root that gives us "expert.".
Is “experience” a common word?
“Experience” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “experience” have?
“Experience” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: knowledge or skill gained by doing something over time.
What is the difference between experience and knowledge?
Knowledge is information you understand, which can come from books or teaching. Experience is the practical skill and understanding you build by actually doing something over time. You can have knowledge of how to drive from a manual, but experience comes only from hours behind the wheel. Experience turns knowledge into competence.
Can experience be taught?
Not directly. Knowledge and techniques can be taught, but experience is gained first-hand through practice, repetition, and often mistakes. A mentor can guide and shorten the path, yet the understanding that comes from personally doing something cannot simply be handed over. This is why employers value experience so highly.
Does experience only mean skill, or also events?
It means both. As defined here, experience is the skill and knowledge built up over time. But 'an experience' can also mean a single event you live through — 'a memorable experience.' The first sense is uncountable and cumulative; the second is countable and refers to individual happenings.
Why is experience important?
Experience lets people handle real situations with judgement that theory alone cannot provide. It builds confidence, sharpens instinct, and helps someone anticipate problems before they arise. In work and life, experience is often the difference between knowing what should happen and knowing what actually does — which is why it is so prized.
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