Experience
/ɪkˈspɪəriəns/
Definitions
2 meaningsPractical contact with and observation of facts or events.
/ɪkˈspɪəriəns/
The process of gaining knowledge or skill from doing or seeing things, or the things you have done or seen.
He gained valuable experience working in the tech industry.
💡 Simply: Experience is like collecting memories and skills by doing things. Like, when you learn to ride a bike, that's an experience! Or when you try a new food, that's an experience too.
👶 For kids: When you do or see things and learn about them, that's called experience!
More Examples
The museum offered a rich cultural experience.
Her personal experiences shaped her worldview.
How It's Used
"She has a lot of experience in the field of education."
"The job requires several years of professional experience."
"Traveling abroad was a unique experience for him."
To encounter or undergo (an event, feeling, or situation).
/ɪkˈspɪəriəns/
To encounter or feel something.
He experienced great sorrow at the news.
💡 Simply: When you experience something, it's like you're feeling it or going through it. Like if you experience excitement, it's because you're really excited! Or if you experience a bad day, that's because you're having a bad day.
👶 For kids: When something happens to you or you feel something, that's called experience!
More Examples
The company experienced significant growth.
We experienced heavy rain during the storm.
How It's Used
"I experienced a moment of pure joy."
"Many people experience anxiety during stressful situations."
"The software experienced a glitch."
Idioms & expressions
a wealth of experience
A large and valuable amount of knowledge and skill gained over time.
"The new CEO brings a wealth of experience to the company."
learn from experience
To gain knowledge or skills through what has happened to you.
"I've learned from experience and won't make that mistake again."
have experience of something
To be familiar with something due to past events.
"She has experience of working in a fast-paced environment."
From Latin *experientia* meaning 'trial, proof, experiment', derived from *experiri* 'to try, test'.
The word 'experience' has been used since the 13th century, evolving from its Latin roots to encompass a wider range of meanings related to personal encounters and acquired knowledge.
Memory tip
Think of the things you do and see – that’s your experience!