3 N‑COUNT An experience is something that you do or that happens to you, especially something important that affects you. □ [+ of ] His only experience of gardening so far proved immensely satisfying. □ Many of his clients are unbelievably nervous, usually because of a bad experience in the past.
4 VERB If you experience a particular situation, you are in that situation or it happens to you. □ [V n] We had never experienced this kind of holiday before and had no idea what to expect.
5 VERB If you experience a feeling, you feel it or are affected by it. □ [V n] Widows seem to experience more distress than do widowers. ● N‑SING Experience is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the experience of pain. COLLOCATIONS experience NOUN
1
noun + experience : life, work
adjective + experience : first-hand, invaluable, personal, practical; managerial; extensive, previous
verb + experience : gain
3
noun + experience : dining, learning, shopping
adjective + experience : bad, common, memorable, traumatic; near-death; positive, valuable
verb + experience : enjoy, share VERB
4
experience + noun : difficulty, hardship, loss, problem; change, symptom; life
5
experience + noun : anxiety, distress, pain
ex|pe|ri|enced / I ksp I ə riənst/ ADJ If you describe someone as experienced , you mean that they have been doing a particular job or activity for a long time, and therefore know a lot about it or are very skilful at it. □ [+ in ] …lawyers who are experienced in these matters. □ It's a team packed with experienced and mature professionals.
ex|peri|en|tial / I ksp I ə rie nʃ ə l/ ADJ Experiential means relating to or resulting from experience. [FORMAL ] □ Learning has got to be active and experiential.
ex|peri|ment ◆◇◇ (experiments , experimenting , experimented ) The noun is pronounced / I kspe r I mənt/. The verb is pronounced / I kspe r I ment/. 1 N‑VAR An experiment is a scientific test which is done in order to discover what happens to something in particular conditions. □ He carried out a series of experiments on the properties of plants. □ This question can be answered only by experiment.
2 VERB If you experiment with something or experiment on it, you do a scientific test on it in order to discover what happens to it in particular conditions. □ [V + with/on ] In 1857 Mendel started experimenting with peas in his monastery garden. □ [V ] The scientists have already experimented at each other's test sites. ● ex|peri|men|ta|tion / I kspe r I mente I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …the ethical aspects of animal experimentation. ● ex|peri|ment|er (experimenters ) N‑COUNT □ When the experimenters repeated the tests, they observed an opposite effect.
3 N‑VAR An experiment is the trying out of a new idea or method in order to see what it is like and what effects it has. □ As an experiment, we bought Ted a watch.
4 VERB To experiment means to try out a new idea or method to see what it is like and what effects it has. □ [V ] …if you like cooking and have the time to experiment. □ [V + with ] He believes that students should be encouraged to experiment with bold ideas. ● ex|peri|men|ta|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ Decentralization and experimentation must be encouraged. USAGE experiment
You usually say that someone conducts
an experiment. Don’t say ‘
ex|peri|men|tal / I kspe r I me nt ə l/
1 ADJ Something that is experimental is new or uses new ideas or methods, and might be modified later if it is unsuccessful. □ …an experimental air conditioning system. □ The technique is experimental, but the list of its practitioners is growing.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Experimental means using, used in, or resulting from scientific experiments. □ …the main techniques of experimental science. ● ex|peri|men|tal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Communities of species were studied experimentally under controlled conditions.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An experimental action is done in order to see what it is like, or what effects it has. □ The British Sports Minister is reported to be ready to argue for an experimental lifting of the ban. ● ex|peri|men|tal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ This system is being tried out experimentally at many universities.
ex|pert ◆◆◇ /e kspɜː r t/ (experts )
1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] An expert is a person who is very skilled at doing something or who knows a lot about a particular subject. □ …a yoga expert. □ [+ on ] …an expert on trade in that area.
2 ADJ Someone who is expert at doing something is very skilled at it. □ [+ at ] The Japanese are expert at lowering manufacturing costs. ● ex|pert|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Shopkeepers expertly rolled spices up in bay leaves.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If you say that someone has expert hands or an expert eye, you mean that they are very skilful or experienced in using their hands or eyes for a particular purpose. □ When the horse suffered a back injury Harvey cured it with his own expert hands.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] Expert advice or help is given by someone who has studied a subject thoroughly or who is very skilled at a particular job. □ We'll need an expert opinion.
ex|per|tise /e kspɜː r tiː z/ N‑UNCOUNT Expertise is special skill or knowledge that is acquired by training, study, or practice. □ The problem is that most local authorities lack the expertise to deal sensibly in this market.