experience
experience
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "experience" is /ɪkˈspɪəriəns/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
ik /ɪk/
/ɪ/: near-close near-front unrounded vowel (as in "kit")
/k/: voiceless velar stop (as in "cat")
spee /spiː/ (The 's' sound is technically part of the first syllable's onset in some analyses, but for ease of breakdown here, it's grouped with the second.)
/s/: voiceless alveolar fricative (as in "snake")
/p/: voiceless bilabial stop (as in "pat")
/iː/: close front unrounded vowel (as in "fleece")
ri /ri/
/r/: voiced alveolar approximant (as in "red")
/ɪ/: near-close near-front unrounded vowel (as in "kit")
uhns /əns/
/ə/: schwa, mid-central unrounded vowel (as in "about")
/n/: voiced alveolar nasal (as in "nose")
/s/: voiceless alveolar fricative (as in "snake")
Note: While commonly pronounced with four syllables, some analyses might consider it three, with the "i" and "e" in "rience" forming a diphthong or being very close together. The four-syllable breakdown is more common for clear pronunciation.
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: experience
Plural: experiences
Verb:
Base form: experience
Third-person singular present: experiences
Present participle: experiencing
Past tense: experienced
Past participle: experienced
Adjective: experienced (derived from the past participle of the verb)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The practical knowledge or skill gained over time through observation of, participation in, or exposure to events, situations, or activities. This often implies a cumulative understanding of how things work or how to do something effectively.
Synonyms: expertise, proficiency, knowledge, skill, background, familiarity, wisdom, savoir-faire
Antonyms: inexperience, ignorance, naivety, unfamiliarity, incompetence
Definition 2: An event or series of events that someone has lived through, especially one that leaves a lasting impression or shapes one's character or understanding.
Synonyms: occurrence, event, incident, episode, happening, encounter, ordeal, adventure
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, often absence of the event): non-event, anticipation, prediction
Verb
Definition 1: To undergo or live through (an event, situation, or feeling); to encounter or be subjected to something.
Synonyms: undergo, encounter, feel, suffer, endure, live through, go through, know, witness, perceive
Antonyms: avoid, miss, circumvent, escape, evade, bypass, prevent
Definition 2: To gain knowledge or skill through practical involvement in something.
Synonyms: learn, acquire, gain, master, practice, develop
Antonyms: neglect, disregard, ignore, unlearn (in the sense of not having learned)
Adjective
Definition 1 (Experienced): Having gained skill or knowledge through practical contact with, observation of, or participation in events or in a particular field.
Synonyms: skilled, knowledgeable, seasoned, proficient, expert, trained, veteran, qualified, accomplished
Antonyms: inexperienced, novice, amateur, green, unskilled, unqualified, naive
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was a challenging and ultimately rewarding experience for all involved, teaching us invaluable lessons about resilience and teamwork." (From a non-fiction book on leadership)
"His writing often explores the subjective nature of human experience, delving into themes of memory, perception, and emotion." (From a literary criticism text discussing a novelist)
Newspapers:
"The local community is calling for more affordable housing options, citing their own negative experiences with the current rental market." (From The Daily Nation, May 2024)
"Tourists visiting the Mara were thrilled to experience a rare sighting of a black rhino and its calf." (From The Standard, February 2025)
Online Publications:
"Our new app aims to provide a seamless user experience, with intuitive navigation and quick loading times." (From a tech blog, January 2025)
"Many remote workers experience feelings of isolation, highlighting the importance of virtual team-building activities." (From an article on LinkedIn, April 2024)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Video Game Review: "The game offers a truly immersive open-world experience, allowing players to explore vast landscapes and interact with a rich cast of characters." (From IGN, October 2024)
Movie Trailer Narration: "This summer, prepare to experience a story of epic proportions, where courage is tested and destinies are forged." (From a movie trailer, June 2025)
Podcast Discussion: "We talked about our first concert experience and how it shaped our musical tastes." (From a popular music podcast, December 2024)
Travel Vlog: "Come with us as we experience the vibrant street food scene of Bangkok!" (From a YouTube travel vlog, March 2025)
General Public Discourse:
"I've had some really good experiences working with that team; they're always very collaborative." (A colleague discussing a project team)
"Did you experience any delays on your flight back home?" (A friend asking about a recent trip)
"Learning to cook was a completely new experience for me, but I'm really enjoying it." (Someone talking about a new hobby)
"The company is looking for candidates with at least five years of professional experience in software development." (From a job advertisement)
10 Quotes Using Experience
"Experience is the teacher of all things." (Julius Caesar)
"The only source of knowledge is experience." (Albert Einstein)
"We learn from experience that men never learn anything from experience." (George Bernard Shaw)
"Nothing ever becomes real until it is experienced." (John Keats)
"I have been through a terrible experience, and I am glad I am still able to laugh." (Masha Gessen, The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin)
"Good experience is the best teacher." (Plautus)
"To experience peace, you must first create it within yourself." (Dalai Lama XIV)
"Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him." (Aldous Huxley)
"By experience we find out a short way by a long wandering." (Roger Ascham)
"Experience without theory is blind, but theory without experience is mere intellectual play." (Immanuel Kant)
Etymology
The word "experience" has a pretty clear and interesting journey through language!
It comes to us from Latin. The core of "experience" is the Latin word "experientia," which meant something like "a trial," "a proof," "an experiment," or "knowledge gained by repeated trials." This Latin term itself came from the verb "experiri," meaning "to try," "to put to the test," or "to undergo." This Latin verb broke down further from "ex-" (meaning "out of" or "thoroughly") and "peritus" (meaning "experienced" or "tested"). So, right from its Latin roots, "experience" was about trying things out and gaining understanding from that process.
The word then traveled into Old French as "esperience" in the 13th century, carrying similar meanings of "experiment, proof, experience."
The first known use of "experience" in English (as a noun) dates back to the late 14th century, specifically before 1382, appearing in early Wycliffite Bibles. At this time, its meaning was very much tied to "observation as a source of knowledge" or "actual observation; an event which has affected one." It was about gaining knowledge or understanding through direct contact with something, whether by seeing it, doing it, or feeling it.
Over time, the meaning broadened to include not just the act of observing or doing, but also the actual knowledge or skill gained from those observations and actions. The verb form, "to experience," came a bit later, in the 16th century, originally meaning "to test, try, learn by practical trial." By the late 16th century, it also developed the sense of "to feel, to undergo."
It's fascinating to note that "experience" shares its root with the word "experiment." This shows how closely linked the ideas of trying something out and learning from that process have always been.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Experience
Learning experience: An event or situation from which one learns a great deal, especially from mistakes.
Hands-on experience: Practical experience rather than theoretical knowledge.
By experience: Through practical involvement or observation.
To gain experience: To acquire knowledge or skill through doing something.
To have an experience: To undergo an event, especially one that is notable or impactful.
A wealth of experience: A large amount of diverse knowledge and skill gained over time.
First-hand experience: Direct personal involvement or observation of an event.
An experienced hand: Someone who is very skilled or knowledgeable due to extensive practice.
To live and learn (implied experience): To gain knowledge and wisdom through one's life events.
To cut one's teeth on (implied experience): To gain initial experience in a particular field or activity.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of experience from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
