A2noun1K

Experience

UK /["/ɪkˈspɪəriəns/"]/US /["/ɪkˈspɪriəns/"]/

Definition

the knowledge and skill that you have gained through doing something for a period of time; the process of gaining this

In simple words: What you have done or learned in life.

Examples

  • I had an amazing experience at the concert last night.
  • Traveling to different countries can enrich your experience.
  • He has enough experience to apply for that job.
  • Her experience as a teacher helped her in this new role.
  • The experience of learning a new language is both exciting and challenging.

Usage notes

Use 'experience' when talking about skills or events in formal and neutral contexts. Avoid in casual slang situations. Can refer to personal or professional activities.

Grammar pattern

experience + object

Memory hint

Sounds like 'X-perience' — imagine you're opening a treasure chest full of life adventures.

Collocations

  • considerable
  • extensive
  • great
  • have
  • lack
  • gain
  • experience of
  • a lack of experience
  • a wealth of experience
  • past
  • recent
  • historical
  • have
  • share
  • learn by
  • suggest something
  • teach (somebody) something
  • show something
  • by experience
  • from experience
  • in somebody’s experience
  • enjoyable
  • exhilarating
  • good
  • enjoy
  • go through
  • have
  • quite an experience

Synonyms

  • encounter
  • event
  • knowledge
  • skill
  • activity

Antonyms

  • inexperience
  • ignorance

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'experiment' — mixing these words when talking about science.
  • Omitting the object, saying 'I had experience' instead of 'I had an experience.'
  • Using 'experienced' incorrectly as a noun, when it should be an adjective.