inexperience

noun

in·​ex·​pe·​ri·​ence ˌi-nik-ˈspir-ē-ən(t)s 

1

: lack of practical experience

blamed the accident on driver inexperience

2

: lack of knowledge of the ways of the world

was concerned about their youth and inexperience

inexperienced

ˌi-nik-ˈspir-ē-ən(t)st 

adjective

Examples of inexperience in a Sentence

He blames his mistakes on inexperience.

Recent Examples on the Web

Kenneth Grant and Jordan Phillips, two defensive tackles who cut their teeth as starters in their rookie season, can’t blame this upcoming season’s struggles on youth and inexperience because last year’s playing time was an investment made with the intention of speeding up their development. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026

Most founder overwhelm is just inexperience without context. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Canada’s relative inexperience in the World Cup, plus the enormity of this tournament on home soil, has meant every Canadian game has been the biggest in the program’s history. — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 25 June 2026

And his flaws—pride, inexperience—are consequential. — James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Late Latin inexperientia, from Latin in- + experientia experience

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inexperience

• experience

Kids Definition

inexperience

noun

in·​ex·​pe·​ri·​ence ˌin-ik-ˈspir-ē-ən(t)s 

: lack of experience

inexperienced

-ən(t)st 

adjective