experience

/ɪkˈspɪriəns/
nounIntermediate knowledge or skill gained through doing
general

Practical knowledge or skill acquired through direct involvement in events or activities.

Her experience in marketing helped her land the job.

She gained valuable knowledge from working in marketing.

💡

Often used to describe professional or personal growth.

general

An event or occurrence that leaves an impression on someone.

The concert was an unforgettable experience.

The concert left a strong impression on the audience.

💡

Can refer to positive or negative events.

philosophical

The state of being conscious of an event or feeling.

The study of human experience is central to psychology.

Psychology examines how people perceive and process events.

💡

Used in academic or philosophical discussions.

Collocations

gain experienceto acquire knowledge or skillwork experiencepractical knowledge from a joblife experienceknowledge gained from living

Related Phrases

out of experiencephrase
based on knowledge gained from doing something
firsthand experiencephrase
direct personal involvement

💡Pro Tip

Verb vs. Noun

Remember that 'experience' can be both a noun (e.g., 'a great experience') and a verb (e.g., 'I experienced joy').

Gold Rule

Context Matters

The meaning of 'experience' changes based on context—whether referring to knowledge, events, or consciousness.

📖Word Origin

From Middle English 'experience,' from Old French 'experience,' from Latin 'experientia,' meaning 'trial, proof, experiment.'

📝Usage Notes

Can be used as a noun or verb (e.g., 'I experienced joy'). Often pluralized to refer to multiple events ('She has many experiences').

Word Breakdown

ex-
out of
prefix
+
-perientia
knowledge, skill
root
English Dictionary