expert

adjective

ex·pert | \ ˈek-ˌspərt

, ik-ˈspərt

Definition of expert

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 obsolete : experienced

2 : having, involving, or displaying special skill or knowledge derived from training or experience

expert

noun

ex·pert | \ ˈek-ˌspərt

Definition of expert (Entry 2 of 3)

: one with the special skill or knowledge representing mastery of a particular subject

expert

verb

ex·pert | \ ˈek-ˌspərt

experted; experting; experts

Definition of expert (Entry 3 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to serve as an expert

Other Words from expert Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about expert

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Choose the Right Synonym for expert

Adjective

proficient, adept, skilled, skillful, expert mean having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession. proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice. proficient in translating foreign languages adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency. adept at doing long division skilled stresses mastery of technique. a skilled surgeon skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance. skillful drivers expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill. expert in the evaluation of wines

Examples of expert in a Sentence

Adjective

We received some expert advice. The company has become expert at adapting its products for new clients.

Noun

She was an acknowledged expert on child development. an expert at planning dinner parties

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Delgado's defense attorney closed his case Thursday, as well, after calling an expert witness who analyzed Delgado's phone. — Lavendrick Smith, Dallas News, "Both sides rest in trial of Brenda Delgado, the woman accused of plotting Dallas dentist's slaying," 6 June 2019 Local authorities, trade unions and workers, all of whom are seen as more responsive than expert panels to local needs, would play a greater role in the management of services. — The Economist, "Corbynomics would change Britain—but not in the way most people think," 17 May 2018 As royals expert Katie Nicholl explained to Glamour a few weeks ago, the idea of there being a melodramatic rift between the Fab Four—specifically Markle and Middleton—is a gross exaggeration. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "People Think Prince William and Kate Middleton Snubbed Meghan Markle in This Photo, but I Call B.S.," 22 Apr. 2019 That’s not to say there’s an expert consensus here — far from it. — Kelsey Piper, Vox, "The case for taking AI seriously as a threat to humanity," 21 Dec. 2018 The court heard testimony from a number of key witnesses including Asia McClain and Gerald R. Grant, an expert witness on cell phone technology. — Emma Dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "A Complete Timeline of The Case Against Adnan Syed," 31 Mar. 2019 Species with a high degree of dimorphism (e.g. pheasants) differ markedly, while those with low dimorphism (e.g. rosy-faced lovebirds) can require expert analysis to tell apart. — Ryan P. Smith, Smithsonian, "What the Large Penises of Tiny Crustaceans Tell Us About Evolution," 16 Apr. 2018 There are plans for beginners, intermediate, and advanced exercisers, and users can also connect with personal trainers to ask questions and get expert advice. — Alexa Tucker, SELF, "25 Best Workout and Fitness Apps to Stay Healthy in 2019," 1 Jan. 2019 So researchers at Purdue have developed a new way to get around this problem: an augmented reality (AR) system that could help on-the-ground doctors get expert advice. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Battlefield Medics and Student Doctors Could Use Augmented Reality to Get Help From Faraway Surgeons," 6 Sep. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Many of those same experts believe 2018 was the year of the electric scooter. — Peter Holley, Washington Post, "Bird adds new vehicle to its fleet: a two-seater electric bicycle with an LCD screen.," 5 June 2019 Jones' mother has been in a mental institution for more than two decades with schizophrenia, and the defense called several experts to suggest Jones had the mental illness too, but it was never diagnosed. — Jeffrey Collins, Fox News, "Dad guilty of killing 5 kids faces possible death sentence," 5 June 2019 Prescribing medical treatments solely for sports eligibility reasons has been labelled as unethical by an array of experts, including the World Medical Association, which represents doctors across the world. — NBC News, "Caster Semenya wins court battle in her fight to run without hormone suppressants," 4 June 2019 Urban experts such as authors Richard Florida and Alan Mallach have argued recently that the newly vibrant downtowns of many cities, once hailed as something that would spread benefits citywide, have mostly operated as enclaves unto themselves. — John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press, "How downtown Detroit's taxes work and who really pays them," 4 June 2019 The DIY Network family is sorry to hear about the passing of Troy Dean Shafer, a dedicated, driven entrepreneur and restoration expert who was admired by everyone who worked on the series Nashville Flipped. — Madison Roberts, PEOPLE.com, "Nashville Flipped Star Troy Shafer's Tragic Cause of Death Revealed," 4 June 2019 There are plenty of places that do a fine job of collecting excellent charcuterie from expert outside sources. — Craig Laban, https://www.inquirer.com, "Where to get the best charcuterie in Philly," 4 June 2019 Giving a speech about malaria to a room full of experts. — Melinda Gates, Teen Vogue, "How Melinda Gates Learned to Overcome Fear," 31 May 2019 The trailer for Brooks’ film, featuring Wasser, was shown last fall at a high-level meeting of wildlife enforcement experts convened by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions. — Sandi Doughton, The Seattle Times, "Sam Wasser pours his intense passion for protecting wildlife into research and catching poachers," 21 May 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Rooke's comments are in line with what royals expert Katie Nicholl told Glamour earlier this month. — Glamour, "Why We Probably Won't See Photos of Meghan Markle's Baby After She Gives Birth," 10 Apr. 2019 This event is intended for intermediate to expert skiers/snowboarders ages 8-18 who identify as female. — idahostatesman, "A guided hike at Squaw Butte among upcoming outdoors events | Idaho Statesman," 26 Mar. 2018 Vogue asked relationship expert Jordan Gray for some tips on how to do the impossible: be friends with your ex. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "If Selena and Justin Can Do It, So Can You: How to Be Friends With Your Ex," 26 Oct. 2017 Strolling in the adjacent deer park will complete the literary fantasy, as will expert unobtrusive service. — Condé Nast Traveler, "Summer Lodge Country House Hotel and Spa," 20 Oct. 2017 Follow along here for news and expert analysis from the meeting from the Courier-Journal. — Chris White, The Courier-Journal, "Live updates: University of Louisville athletic association to vote on Rick Pitino's fate," 16 Oct. 2017 And Lovullo experts his star first baseman to be back in the lineup on Saturday night. — USA TODAY, "Diamondbacks' 13-game win streak ends, lose to Padres 10-6," 9 Sep. 2017 That task force—which includes lawmakers, members of law enforcement, the state secretary of corrections, and a crime survivor who lost a child to murder—has spent 10 months reviewing studies and listening to expert testimony. — Larry Hannan, Slate Magazine, "Is the “Incarceration Capital of the World” Finally Ready to Lose Its Title?," 6 Apr. 2017 MEMBERS OF THE EXTERNAL EXPERT ADVISORY PANEL PETER HARVEY, Esq. — NOLA.com, "NFL suspends Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott for 6 games," 11 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'expert.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for expert

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin expertus "tested, shown to be true," from past participle of experīrī "to put to the test, attempt, have experience of, undergo" experience entry 1

Noun

borrowed from French, going back to Middle French, derivative of expert expert entry 1

Verb

derivative of expert entry 2

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