experience
Knowledge or skill gained by living through events; also, the events themselves.
Word facts
Definition
Experience is what you gain from going through events, situations, or actions over time. An experience is also a specific event or moment that affects you. As a verb, to experience something means to live through it or feel it directly.
Usage: Experience (noun) is uncountable when referring to general knowledge (she has experience) but countable when referring to a specific event (it was an unforgettable experience). Both uses are correct in different contexts.
Example sentences
- 1
Her five years of teaching experience made her a natural choice for the leadership role.
- 2
Traveling alone was an experience that changed how he saw the world and himself.
- 3
The patient experienced a mild reaction to the medication, which resolved within an hour.
Word family
From Latin experientia ('trial, proof, experiment'), from experiri ('to try out'). Related to 'experiment' — both share the idea of testing or trying something to gain knowledge.
The word 'expert' is hiding inside experience — an expert is someone who has built up deep, lived experience in their field.
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FAQ
Questions people ask
How many syllables does experience have?
Experience has 4 syllables: ex-per-i-ence. The stress is on the second syllable: ex-PER-i-ence.
Is experience a noun or verb?
Experience can be both. As a noun: She has years of experience. As a verb: He experienced something unexpected.
How do you spell experience?
Experience is spelled e-x-p-e-r-i-e-n-c-e. A common mistake is leaving out the 'i' before the 'ence'.
What is the adjective form of experience?
The adjective form is experienced. Example: an experienced surgeon.