rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryexperienceKnowledge gained through practice
noun / verb

experience

ik-SPEER-ee-uhns/ɪkˈspɪriəns/

Direct personal involvement in events or activities.

The carpenter draws on years of experience as she teaches her apprentice.

An older Latina carpenter confidently teaches a younger Black apprentice precise wood joints, skill gained by years of practice.
Etymology
experiLatinto try, test
+enceLatinstate or quality

Trying and testing connect experience with practical knowledge: the Latin noun meant both a trial and knowledge gained through repeated trials. The selected sense emphasizes what someone learns by direct involvement.

In context

George Cook14:15
all the skills knowledge and experience that they're after you're going to go through each and every single one of those points and write down that you can do it and give an example of when you've done it
How to get a job in Wildlife & Nature Conservation - Volunteering, Tips, Advice, Q&A

More examples

  • You don't need any experience to join this beginner's class.
  • Traveling alone is a new experience for him.
  • Many people experience nervousness before speaking to a crowd.

Forms

experience · experiences · experienced · experiencing

experienced adjective — Having skill or knowledge gained through practice.

Similar words

practice
Repeated activity to improve skills, rather than all lived involvement.
knowledge
What someone knows, whether learned firsthand or from other sources.
undergo
Emphasizes going through a process, often difficult or unpleasant.