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 Words From

• 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 not only does that proposal misunderstand the function and role of funding authorization in Congress, the lack of authorization doesn't indicate wasteful expenditures, federal fiscal policy experts told Salon.

From Salon

By distinguishing between each creature’s whisker tips, as well as their base and length, she hopes AI will enable wildlife experts to track and monitor individual members of the population.

From BBC

And while Korean producers are experts at delivering clean, high-level production value, they are much more protective of their artists’ image.

From Los Angeles Times

However, experts have questioned whether academic standards have been sacrificed in the process.

From Los Angeles Times

In honor of the wild contests featured in the film, we asked experts what types of outrageous events actually happened in the Colosseum.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• artist
• authority
• professional