expert

[ noun verb ek-spurt; adjective ek-spurt, ik-spurt ]

noun

1. a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field; specialist; authority:

   a language expert.

   Synonyms: master, connoisseur

2. Military.
   1. the highest rating in rifle marksmanship, above that of marksman and sharpshooter.
   2. a person who has achieved such a rating.

adjective

1. possessing special skill or knowledge; trained by practice; skillful or skilled (often followed by in or at ):

   an expert driver;

   to be expert at driving a car.

   Synonyms: dexterous, proficient, experienced

   Antonyms: unskillful

2. pertaining to, coming from, or characteristic of an expert:

   expert work;

   expert advice.

verb (used with object)

1. to act as an expert for.

expert

/ ˈɛkspɜːt /

noun

1. a person who has extensive skill or knowledge in a particular field

adjective

1. skilful or knowledgeable
2. of, involving, or done by an expert

   an expert job

Derived Forms

• ˈexpertness, noun
• ˈexpertly, adverb

Other Word Forms

• ex·pertly adverb
• ex·pertness noun
• non·expert noun adjective
• pro·expert adjective
• unex·pert adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expert¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin expertus “tried,” past participle of experīrī “to try”; experience

Word History and Origins

Origin of expert¹

C14: from Latin expertus known by experience, from experīrī to test; see experience

Synonym Study

See skillful.

Example Sentences

But military experts have raised practical concerns about the unclear parameters of the Marines’ objective.

From Los Angeles Times

The panel of four experts were appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, but are not UN staff and are independent from the UN.

From BBC

Play experts want to ban "no ball games" signs and protect playtime during school breaks, to reduce the time children spend on screens.

From BBC

Nuclear industry experts the BBC has spoken to are convinced that SMRs - and more nuclear power - will eventually reduce the cost of our electricity supply.

From BBC

Doctors and health experts have criticised Kennedy's longstanding questioning of the safety and efficacy of a number of vaccines, although in his Senate confirmation hearing he said he is "not going to take them away."

From BBC

Related Words

• artist
• authority
• professional