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Synonyms

experimental

American  
[ik-sper-uh-men-tl] / ɪkˌspɛr əˈmɛn tl /

adjective

  1. pertaining to, derived from, or founded on experiment.

    an experimental science.

  2. of the nature of an experiment; tentative.

    The new program is still in an experimental stage.

  3. functioning as an experiment or used for experimentation.

    an experimental airplane.

  4. based on or derived from experience; empirical.

    experimental knowledge.


noun

  1. something that is experimental.

experimental British  
/ ɪkˌspɛrɪˈmɛntəl /

adjective

  1. relating to, based on, or having the nature of experiment

    an experimental study

  2. based on or derived from experience; empirical

    experimental evidence

  3. tending to experiment

    an experimental artist

  4. tentative or provisional

    an experimental rule in football

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • experimentally adverb
  • nonexperimental adjective
  • nonexperimentally adverb
  • postexperimental adjective
  • preexperimental adjective
  • pseudoexperimental adjective
  • pseudoexperimentally adverb
  • quasi-experimental adjective
  • quasi-experimentally adverb
  • semiexperimental adjective
  • semiexperimentally adverb
  • unexperimental adjective
  • unexperimentally adverb

Etymology

Origin of experimental

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word experīmentālis. See experiment, -al 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Working with experimental collaborators in Italy, Linder co authored a study published in Physical Review Letters.

From Science Daily

In testing, adjustments to slurry mixing and drying steps reduced the internal ionic resistance of experimental electrodes by as much as 40% -- a major barrier to fast charging.

From Science Daily

In a fleeting survey of keyboard revolutionaries, she sets the stage for Sun Ra’s experimental journeys into the musical beyond.

From The Wall Street Journal

Several hundred officers who police France's trains and the Paris metro are to be armed with stun guns on an experimental basis in a bid to increase security, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said on Thursday.

From Barron's

The move means that Moderna’s experimental flu shot is largely back on track after the FDA’s surprise decision earlier this month to refuse to start a review of its application.

From The Wall Street Journal