expert
EHK-spurt
Expert (noun) means a person with deep knowledge or skill in a particular field. Example: “She consulted an expert before investing in the stock market.”
noun
1
A person with deep knowledge or skill in a particular field.
"She consulted an expert before investing in the stock market."
"He's an expert in ancient Roman history."
"Ask an expert if you are unsure which mushrooms are safe."
adj
1
Having great skill or knowledge in a subject.
"The surgeon gave an expert opinion on the risks."
"With expert guidance, the beginners learned to sail in a single weekend."
"She has an expert eye for spotting fake paintings."
How to use expert
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) with a high level of skill or knowledge.
Common pairings
expert advice
expert opinion
leading expert
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Word forms
- Plural
- experts
- Third person singular
- experts
- Past tense
- experted
- Comparative
- more expert
- Superlative
- most expert
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She consulted an _____ before investing in the stock market.
Etymology
From Old French expert, from Latin expertus, "tried, proven," the past participle of experiri ("to try") — related to "experience."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “expert” mean?
The word “expert” means a person with deep knowledge or skill in a particular field. In plain terms, someone (or something) with a high level of skill or knowledge.
How do you pronounce “expert”?
“Expert” is pronounced EHK-spurt (/ˈɛk.spɜɹt/ in IPA).
How do you use “expert” in a sentence?
Here is “expert” used in a sentence: “She consulted an expert before investing in the stock market.”
What is another word for “expert”?
Words with a similar meaning to “expert” include proficient, maven, specialist and demon.
What is the opposite of “expert”?
The opposite of “expert” — its antonyms — are inexpert and nonexpert.
What part of speech is “expert”?
Depending on how it is used, “expert” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “expert” come from?
The word “expert” comes from Latin. From Old French expert, from Latin expertus, "tried, proven," the past participle of experiri ("to try") — related to "experience.".
Is “expert” a common word?
“Expert” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between an expert and a specialist?
A specialist concentrates deeply on one narrow area, such as a heart specialist in medicine. An expert is anyone with deep knowledge or skill in a field, whether broad or narrow. Every specialist is an expert in their niche, but an expert may have wide-ranging mastery rather than a single focus.
Can anyone become an expert?
In most fields, yes. Expertise is built through study, experience, and sustained, focused practice rather than talent alone. Popular writing suggests thousands of hours of deliberate practice, though the exact figure is debated. Feedback, good teaching, and learning from mistakes all speed the journey from beginner to genuine expert.
What is the opposite of an expert?
The opposite is a novice or beginner — someone with little knowledge or skill in the field. Related words include amateur, learner, and layperson, describing people without specialist training. Where an expert acts with deep, practised understanding, a novice is still learning the basics and lacks that depth of experience.
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