expert

1 of 3

noun

ex·​pert ˈek-ˌspərt 

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

expert

2 of 3

adjective

ex·​pert ˈek-ˌspərt  ik-ˈspərt 

1

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

2

obsolete : experienced

expertly adverb

expertness noun

expert

3 of 3

verb

ex·​pert ˈek-ˌspərt 

experted; experting; experts

intransitive verb

: to serve as an expert

Synonyms of expert

Noun

• master
• guru
• virtuoso
• wizard
• scholar
• specialist
• artist
• authority
• whiz
• maestro

Adjective

• virtuoso
• skillful

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of expert in a Sentence

Noun

She was an acknowledged expert on child development.

an expert at planning dinner parties

Adjective

We received some expert advice.

The company has become expert at adapting its products for new clients.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The trial brings to a head a decades-old case that for years has drawn the eyes of hip-hop fans and true crime experts alike. — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Meet the experts Leslie Ayala is a nail artist and founder of Nail Witch Studios in Miami. — Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The expert panel consists of 10 editors, writers and contributors from travel news outlets. — Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2026

The success of this trial was possible through the close and constructive cooperation between the participating German Air Force organisations, the exercise management team and the expert teams from Rheinmetall Air Defence and Hensoldt. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Verb

Building a factual record that firmly establishes the defendant’s primary responsibility - through photographs, video, witness accounts, and expert analysis - is an important component of effective plaintiff advocacy in California. — Anton Lucanus may 7, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026

The highly specialized nature of AI engineering skills means that most consequential agentic AI development, integration and maintenance work will be outsourced to expert third parties. — Phillimon Zongo, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French, going back to Middle French, derivative of expert expert entry 2

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" — more at experience entry 1

Verb

derivative of expert entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1535, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing expert

• efficiency expert
• expert opinions
• expert system
• expert witness

Rhymes for expert

• inexpert

Kids Definition

expert

1 of 2 adjective

ex·​pert ˈek-ˌspərt  ik-ˈspərt 

: showing special skill or knowledge gained from training or experience

expert advice

expertly adverb

expertness noun

expert

2 of 2 noun

ex·​pert ˈek-ˌspərt 

: a person with special skill in or knowledge of a subject

Legal Definition

expert

noun

ex·​pert

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