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experience

/ɪkˈspɪɹ.i.əns/
nounverb

The effect upon the judgment or feelings produced by any event, whether witnessed or participated in; personal and direct impressions as contrasted with description or fancies; personal acquaintance; actual enjoyment or suffering.

NWL Collins ENABLE

Noun 4 meanings

  1. The effect upon the judgment or feelings produced by any event, whether witnessed or participated in; personal and direct impressions as contrasted with description or fancies; personal acquaintance; actual enjoyment or suffering.

    “It was an experience he would not soon forget.”

  2. An activity one has performed.

  3. A collection of events and/or activities from which an individual or group may gather knowledge, opinions, and skills.

    “Virtually all employers now require jobseekers to have work experience even for entry-level roles. Many believe this will hurt companies in the long run.”

  4. The knowledge thus gathered.

Verb 1 meaning

  1. 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.

Definitions: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA) via Kaikki/Wiktextract

Where it comes from

Etymology

From Middle English experience, 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”) + peritus (“experienced, expert”), past participle of *periri (“to go through”); see expert and peril.

Similar and opposite words

Similar
undergohave
Opposite
inexperience

EXPERIENCE at a glance

EXPERIENCE has 10 letters and scores 21 points in Scrabble (E 1 + X 8 + P 3 + E 1 + R 1 + I 1 + E 1 + N 1 + C 3 + E 1) and 24 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #513 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.

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