Experience — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ik-ˈspir-ē-ən(t)s/ ex·pe·ri·ence

Meaning & Definition of Experience

Experience (noun)

  1. direct observation of or participation in events as a basis of knowledge
  2. the fact or state of having been affected by or gained knowledge through direct observation or participation
  3. practical knowledge, skill, or practice gained from direct observation of or participation in events or in a particular activity

Experience (verb)

  1. to have experience of, undergo
  2. to learn by experience

Experience (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. knowledge gained by actually doing or living through something

    "the hospital is looking for nurses with operating-room experience"

    similar: chops, expertise, know-how, moxie, proficiency, savvy, skills
    related: background, command, mastery, acquaintance, conversance, familiarity, intimacy
    opposite: inexperience
    near: ignorance, unawareness, unfamiliarity

  2. an exciting or noteworthy event that one experiences firsthand

    "related in a book his experiences as a roving correspondent for network TV news"

    similar: adventure, emprise, exploit, gest, happening, time
    related: escapade, lark, ploy, act, action, deed, doing, feat, episode, occasion, baptism, ordeal, test, trial, tribulation, enterprise, risk, venture, expedition, exploration, mission, performance, quest, stunt
    near: bore, bummer, bust, downer, drag

Experience (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it

    "eventually we all have to experience the loss of a loved one"

    similar: endure, feel, have, know, pass, see, suffer, sustain, taste, undergo, witness, go through
    related: encounter, meet, accept, receive, assimilate, digest

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Experience

The most common words with a similar meaning to Experience:

chops, expertise, know-how, moxie, proficiency, savvy, skills, adventure, emprise, exploit, gest, happening, time, endure, feel, have, know, pass, see, suffer, sustain, taste, undergo, witness, go through

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Experience

Words with the opposite meaning of Experience:

inexperience

Related Words for Experience

background, command, mastery, acquaintance, conversance, familiarity, intimacy, escapade, lark, ploy, act, action, deed, doing, feat, episode, occasion, baptism, ordeal, test, trial, tribulation, enterprise, risk, venture, expedition, exploration, mission, performance, quest

Near Antonyms of Experience

ignorance, unawareness, unfamiliarity, bore, bummer, bust, downer, drag

Word Forms of Experience

Inflections: experienced, experiencing

Origin & Etymology of Experience

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin experientia "testing of possibilities, participation in events, skill gained by practice," noun derivative of experient-, experiens, present participle of experīrī "to put to the test, attempt, have experience of, undergo," from ex- ex-:1 + -perīrī, from a presumed verbal base *per- "test, risk," perhaps going back to Indo-European *pr̥h3-i-

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Experience

Words & Phrases Containing Experience

life experience, long experience, near-death experience, out-of-body experience, work experience, reexperience

Frequently Asked Questions about Experience

What does "Experience" mean?

"Experience" means direct observation of or participation in events as a basis of knowledge. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: direct observation of or participation in events as a basis of knowledge. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Experience"?

Other words for "Experience" include chops, expertise, know-how, moxie, proficiency, savvy, skills and adventure. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Experience" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Experience"?

There are 62 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Experience". Common alternatives include chops, expertise, know-how, moxie, proficiency, savvy, skills, adventure, emprise and exploit.

What is the opposite of "Experience"?

Antonyms of "Experience" include inexperience. Near antonyms include ignorance, unawareness, unfamiliarity and bore.

How do you use "Experience" in a sentence?

Examples of "Experience" in a sentence: "the hospital is looking for nurses with operating-room experience"; "related in a book his experiences as a roving correspondent for network TV news"; "eventually we all have to experience the loss of a loved one".

Is "Experience" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Experience" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Experience" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Experience" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Experience"?

"Experience" is pronounced /ik-ˈspir-ē-ən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as ex·pe·ri·ence.