Experience
Pronunciation
- GenAm IPA: /ɪkˈspɪɹ.i.əns/
- RP IPA: /ɪkˈspɪə.ɹɪəns/
- Hyphenation: ex + pe + ri + ence
Origin
From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin experientia ("a trial, proof, experiment, experimental knowledge, experience"), from experiens, present participle of experiri ("to try, put to the test, undertake, undergo"), from ex ("out") + *periri ("to go through"), in past participle peritus ("experienced, expert"); see expert and peril.
Full definition of experience
Noun
experience
(plural experiences)- Event(s) of which one is cognizant.It was an experience he would not soon forget.
- Activity which one has performed.
- 1913, w, Lord Stranleigh Abroad Chapter 4, “I have tried, as I hinted, to enlist the co-operation of other capitalists, but experience has taught me that any appeal is futile that does not impinge directly upon cupidity. …â€
- Collection of events and/or activities from which an individual or group may gather knowledge, opinions, and skills.
- The knowledge thus gathered.
- 2013-06-07, Ed Pilkington, ‘Killer robots’ should be banned in advance, UN told, In his submission to the UN, Christof Heyns points to the experience of drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles were intended initially only for surveillance, and their use for offensive purposes was prohibited, yet once strategists realised their perceived advantages as a means of carrying out targeted killings, all objections were swept out of the way.
Usage notes
Adjectives often applied to "experience": broad, wide, good, bad, great, amazing, horrible, terrible, pleasant, unpleasant, educational, financial, military, commercial, academic, political, industrial, sexual, romantic, religious, mystical, spiritual, psychedelic, scientific, human, magical, intense, deep, humbling, unforgettable, unique, exciting, exhilarating.
Antonyms
Derived terms
Verb
- (transitive) To observe certain events; undergo a certain feeling or process; or perform certain actions that may alter one or contribute to one's knowledge, opinions, or skills.