DictionaryAI

expert

SayEK-spurt/ˈɛk.spɜɹt/UK/ˈɛk.spɜːt/

Pluralexperts

5 meanings of expert

Practice

  1. 1
    skilled personnouncountable
    Someone who knows a great deal about a particular subject or is highly skilled in it.

    The court called a handwriting expert to testify about the disputed signature.

    Climate experts warn that the region's water supplies are shrinking.

    UsageUse on for a topic and in for a field: an expert on whales, an expert in marine biology.

    Similarspecialist, authority, professional

    Oppositenovice, amateur, beginner, layperson

    Note

    Behind the word is experience: it came through Old French, where it meant "experienced", from Latin expertus, "having tried". The noun pairs with on for a topic and in for a field (experts on the subject, an expert in the field). It also invites irony, as in a line often credited to David Ben-Gurion: if an expert says it can't be done, get another expert.

    Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

    • Expert came through Old French expert, meaning experienced, from Latin expertus. en.wiktionary.org
    • Latin expertus means having tried. en.wiktionary.org
    • The stated line is credited to David Ben-Gurion; the item does not assert verified authorship. neaman.org.il
  2. 2
    highly skilledadjective
    Having or showing great skill or knowledge in a particular field.

    Only an expert climber should attempt the north face in winter.

    She proved expert at calming nervous patients before surgery.

    UsageBefore a noun (an expert cook) or after a verb with at or in: expert at fixing things. Its comparative is more expert.

  3. 3
    adjectiveobsolete
    Proven by experience; experienced, veteran.
    Note

    The meaning that sits nearest the Latin: expertus was the participle of experior, "to try," so an expert soldier was one who had been tried and tested by experience rather than one who was especially gifted. It is obsolete now, and a modern reader will hear expert oarsmen as merely skilled. Use it only in deliberately period writing, where the "proven, veteran" force is the point.

    Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    noun
    In US chess ratings, a player rated just below master.
  2. 5
    verb
    To have an expert look over or check something, such as a rare stamp or musical instrument.

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Origin

This word came into English through Middle English and Old French (where it meant "experienced"), going back to Latin expertus, the perfect active participle of experior meaning "to try."

Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 3 facts