expert

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adjective ex·pert \ ˈek-ˌspərt , ik-ˈspərt \

Definition of expert

1 obsolete :experienced

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

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expertly

adverb

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expertness

noun

See expert defined for English-language learners

See expert defined for kids

Examples of expert in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of expert from the Web

But Mansfield and Wildberger contend that the Babylonians, expert surveyors, could have used their tables to construct palaces, temples, and canals.

— ron cowen, Science | AAAS, "This ancient Babylonian tablet may contain the first evidence of trigonometry," 24 Aug. 2017
Expert eclipse chasers will tell you to pay attention to your surroundings during totality, like the chirps of cicadas or rustling of birds.

— marina koren, The Atlantic, "The Great American Eclipse Hangover," 22 Aug. 2017
Suzuki said of becoming a expert pinch-hitter in his twilight years.

— clark spencer, miamiherald, "When the Marlins are in a pinch they turn to Ichiro," 18 Aug. 2017
The workouts are time-flexible, accessible and expert-led.

— kaitlyn mclintock, chicagotribune.com, "8 fitness gurus to work out with for free on YouTube," 11 Aug. 2017
That leaves a heavy reliance on expert opinion about how a painting looks.

— richard c. paddock, New York Times, "Vietnamese Art Has Never Been More Popular. But the Market Is Full of Fakes.," 11 Aug. 2017
That requires a filmmaker’s eye, and a truly expert sense of timing.

— vanityfair.com, "Beyoncé Posted an Impromptu Roller-Skating Video on Instagram," 6 Aug. 2017
For the eighth year running, Philadelphia Dance Day will bring together hundreds of dance enthusiasts, including everyone from expert break dancers to those still experimenting with the funky chicken.

— staff reports, Philly.com, "East Passyunk Car Show, Shark Week(end), and other things to do in Philly July 28 to Aug. 3," 26 July 2017
Expert tip: the standard for banking apps is an automatic or easy-to find log-out feature, which is highly recommended.

— kat hnatyshyn, kansascity, "Find out how your smartphone can save you money," 19 July 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.

Origin and Etymology of expert

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin expertus, from past participle of experiri

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

expert Synonyms

Synonyms

adroit, artful, bravura, deft, delicate, dexterous (also dextrous), skillful, masterful, masterly, practiced (also practised), virtuoso, workmanlike

Antonyms

amateur, amateurish, artless, rude, unprofessional, unskillful

Related Words

facile, smooth; artistic, creative, fancy, ingenious, neat; adept, clever, cunning; able, adequate, capable, competent

Near Antonyms

awkward, clumsy, crude, klutzy; ineffective, ineffectual; incompetent, inept

Synonym Discussion of expert

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

expert

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noun ex·pert \ ˈek-ˌspərt \

Definition of expert

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

See expert defined for English-language learners

Examples of expert in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of expert from the Web

Residents of New Orleans during Katrina saw top-to-bottom failures at every level, experts said.

— Washington Post, "Harvey death toll surpasses 30; more fatalities expected," 31 Aug. 2017
HOLD OFF ON MATERIAL DONATIONS Donating food, clothing and household items can complicate and even hinder relief efforts, experts say.

— barbara ortutay, The Seattle Times, "How you can help with the disaster in Texas," 30 Aug. 2017
Experts say another reason for lack of coverage in the Houston area was that the last big storm, Tropical Storm Allison, was 16 years ago.

— chicagotribune.com, "Flood insurance policies in Houston plunged before Harvey," 30 Aug. 2017
The expert and his team also listed several reasons why material purchases end up feeling less than satisfying.

— jessica mattern, Country Living, "Why Spending Your Money on Experiences—Not Things—Will Make You Happier," 24 Aug. 2017
Rich Sugg rsugg@kcstar.com Put your own spin on burlap and pine cones with help from the DIY experts at Restoration Emporium in the West Bottoms.

— kara lewis,, kansascity, "Countdown to your most fall KC weekend ever," 24 Aug. 2017
Other experts hope that the study will motivate Pakistani authorities to test wells in high-risk areas and warn communities.

— giorgia guglielmi, Science | AAAS, "Arsenic in drinking water threatens up to 60 million in Pakistan," 23 Aug. 2017
Our experts have plenty of tips and tricks that’ll save you from having to make that tough call in the first place.

— rachel tepper paley, Bon Appetit, "Open Bar or Nah? How to Get Wedding Guests Drunk Without Spending a Fortune," 23 Aug. 2017
In the art and history communities, experts are considering whether removing sculpures that may be viewed as public art addresses the more difficult and longstanding issues surrounding race in the United States.

— amy lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Art, race issues converge in Confederate monument debate," 18 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of expert

Middle French, from expert, adjective

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1535

See Words from the same year

expert Synonyms

Synonyms

ace, adept, artist, authority, cognoscente, connoisseur, crackerjack (also crackajack), dab [chiefly British], dab hand [chiefly British], fiend, geek, guru, hand, hotshot, maestro, master, maven (also mavin), meister, past master, proficient, scholar, shark, sharp, virtuoso, whiz, wizard

Antonyms

amateur, inexpert, nonexpert

Related Words

pro, professional; consultant, hired gun, specialist; addict, aficionado (also afficionado), buff, devotee, enthusiast, fan; craftsman, journeyman; all-rounder [British], jack-of-all-trades, Renaissance man; mistress

Near Antonyms

apprentice, beginner, neophyte, novice; dabbler, dilettante; layman, nonprofessional

expert

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verb ex·pert \ ˈek-ˌspərt \

Definition of expert

intransitive verb

:to serve as an expert

Recent Examples of expert from the Web

MEMBERS OF THE EXTERNAL EXPERT ADVISORY PANEL PETER HARVEY, Esq.

— NOLA.com, "NFL suspends Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott for 6 games," 11 Aug. 2017
Nearly every contemporary politician is guilty of falling back on the phrase, but for centuries, populist movements in particular have invoked common sense as a justification for policy goals and as an antidote to expert opinion.

— david a. graham, The Atlantic, "Why Trump Invokes ‘Common Sense’," 4 Aug. 2017
Tae kwon do expert Zoe Zhang kicks to prose read by Taiwanese artist Aristophanes; stuntwoman Jessie Graff flies into the air as Kojey Radical reads on.

— ashley weatherford, The Cut, "Bask in the Glory of Misty Copeland Dancing to Saul Williams," 19 July 2017
The artificial walls would have difficultly levels ranging from easy to expert.

— patrick cooley, cleveland.com, "A rock climbing gym could be coming to Lakewood," 8 July 2017
That makes sense, given that Roy is the Republican Party’s go-to expert on health-care policy.

— sarah jones, New Republic, "Yes, the Senate health care plan is actually monstrous.," 28 June 2017
The justices had taken the case to shed more light on a previous decision that poor defendants whose mental health might explain their criminal actions have a right to expert evaluation.

— robert barnes, Washington Post, "High court: U.S. officials can’t be held liable for alleged unconstitutional treatment of noncitizens," 19 June 2017
But that's standard procedure, according to media law experts the Post interviewed.

— kristi turnquist | the oregonian/oregonlive, OregonLive.com, "Amid controversy, Stephen Colbert will stage a 'Daily Show' reunion Tuesday," 9 May 2017
Brill, along with his wife Jen, opened Silverton Mountain in 2002, offering a single lift to steep terrain that appealed to expert skiers.

— jason blevins, The Denver Post, "Silverton Mountain cleared to expand helicopter skiing terrain to total of 25,000 acres," 3 May 2017

First Known Use of expert

circa 1889

EXPERT Defined for English Language Learners

expert

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adjective

Definition of expert for English Language Learners

: having or showing special skill or knowledge because of what you have been taught or what you have experienced

expert

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noun

Definition of expert for English Language Learners

: a person who has special skill or knowledge relating to a particular subject

EXPERT Defined for Kids

expert

play

adjective ex·pert \ ˈek-ˌspərt , ik-ˈspərt \

Definition of expert for Students

:showing special skill or knowledge gained from experience or training

expert advice

an expert salesperson

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expertly

adverb

expert

play

noun ex·pert \ ˈek-ˌspərt \

Definition of expert for Students

:a person with special skill or knowledge of a subject

Law Dictionary

expert

noun ex·pert

legal Definition of expert

:a person with special or superior skill or knowledge in a particular area — see also expert witness at witness

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