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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.

Although the possibilities are remarkable, most DNA robots today remain in early experimental stages and are better understood as proof of concept rather than practical tools.

From Science Daily

It spans across punk rock, hip-hop, experimental, jazz and beyond.

From Los Angeles Times

Though still in the experimental phase, one stretch in Munich has already taken a human passenger for a ride.

From The Wall Street Journal

Desperate to help his sick dog, one Australian man went down the ultimate ChatGPT research hole, using artificial intelligence to design a personalised experimental treatment and finding top scientists to administer it.

From Barron's

These proposed changes include greater data sharing and more open discussion of alternative interpretations to improve the reliability of experimental findings.

From Science Daily