Definition of EXPERT

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

Another was influenced by the youth training regimens of expert German violinists. — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, "The Professor Who Helped Make Belgian Soccer a World Power," 9 July 2018 The aid could be as simple as teaching someone recently released from prison how to make a job interview in time, or, for entrepreneurs, expert legal and financial advice. — Dan Adams, BostonGlobe.com, "Mass. will train some marijuana workers, entrepreneurs," 26 June 2018 American Red Cross’ First Aid: Put safety first with heat wave safety tips; expert advice on how to treat first aid emergencies, stings and bites; step-by-step instruction and videos;and a hospital locator. — Brittany Britto, baltimoresun.com, "10 useful apps for your beach trip," 10 May 2018 The government’s best scientific and expert opinions have repeatedly concluded there is no link between any long-term health issues and burn-pit emissions. — Perry Chiaramonte | Fox News, Fox News, "Former Army major tells of his efforts to halt use of hazardous burn pits at Iraq military base," 27 Mar. 2018 Get expert advice at the Trustees of Reservations’ 43d annual Gardeners’ Gathering. — BostonGlobe.com, "Five things to do the week of March 26-30," 23 Mar. 2018 Read on to get Dr. Antin’s expert advice before the next big storm. — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE.com, "Does My Dog Need a Jacket in the Cold? Answers to All of Your Burning (or, Freezing?) Winter Pet Questions," 17 Jan. 2018 An expert water skier and equestrian as a child, Ms. Fox graduated from Hollins College, now Hollins University, Roanoke, Va., with a degree in American studies. — Sam Roberts, New York Times, "Charlotte Fox, 61, Trailblazing Alpinist and Everest Survivor, Dies," 8 June 2018 Some mistakes are minor (expert tip: leave your black lace underwear at home and opt for a seamless nude pair to try on wedding gowns), while others can be incredibly detrimental to the process of finding the dress. — Carrie Goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "10 Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping for a Wedding Dress," 5 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In all, about 75 people from what would end up being almost 250 (from a database of 50,000) chosen by the outside experts the team hired. — Kevin Acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Padres find they can't turn all blue eyes brown, but ...," 14 July 2018 Enter the 42-hue color forecast just released by the experts at Sherwin-Williams. — Marisa Spyker, ajc, "Here is your sneak peek of the 6 color palettes you’ll see everywhere in 2019," 13 July 2018 The jury's decision followed more than five weeks of testimony by nearly a dozen experts on both sides. — NBC News, "Johnson & Johnson told to pay $4.7 billion in baby powder case," 13 July 2018 The analysis was conducted by Russell Kamp and Ronald Ryan, experts in assets and liability management, who wrote about it in a commentary for Pensions&Investments. — Edward Mckinley, kansascity, "KC union retirees join rally in Ohio for pension fix — or is it a bailout?," 13 July 2018 And one of those priceless Tiffany windows was so unstable it’s currently being repaired by experts in Bryn Mawr, to the tune of $200,000. — Anya Van Wagtendonk, Philly.com, "To save the world, first they must save a building in West Philly," 12 July 2018 Lucas confessed to 600 unsolved murders and claimed to have killed thousands, but authorities were only able to link him to as many as 10 slayings and Lucas’ prolific admissions of guilt (later retracted) have come under scrutiny by experts. — PEOPLE.com, "Serial Killers Who Inspired Haunting Hollywood Portrayals," 12 July 2018 Chemical exfoliants like glycolic and beta hydroxy (also known as salicylic) acid peels are universally preferred by skin-care experts. — Ashley Weatherford, The Cut, "Are You Exfoliating Your Face Wrong?," 11 July 2018 The show, which debuts at 9 tonight, has been described as a social experiment that features six singles who are paired up by three experts. — Johnny Diaz, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Lifetime TV network to pay for Miami courthouse weddings today," 10 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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 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

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