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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.

Reaching this level requires advances throughout the entire experimental system, including a powerful surface muon beam, a newly developed silica aerogel target, and detectors capable of extremely precise measurements.

From Science Daily

Three economists at the University of Iowa developed the first experimental prediction market in the 1980s.

From The Wall Street Journal

Major platforms such as Alibaba Group and JD.com have emphasized these AI upgrades in earnings communications, framing them less as experimental features and more as tools to improve conversion rates and user engagement.

From Barron's

"It's through an experimental lens, and it's a challenge for the possibilities of what our own instruments can do."

From BBC

Project Genie is experimental, limited to Gemini Ultra users, and generates environments no longer than one minute.

From Barron's