expert

1 of 4

noun (1)

ex·​pert ˈek-ˌspərt 

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

expert

2 of 4

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 4

verb

ex·​pert ˈek-ˌspərt 

experted; experting; experts

intransitive verb

: to serve as an expert

expertness

4 of 4

noun (2)

ex·​pert·​ness

pronunciation at 1expert +nə̇s

plural -es

: the quality or state of being expert : skill

Synonyms of expert

Noun (1)

• 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 (1)

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

While many countries have limits on immigration, none has ever voted to limit its population, Swiss experts say. —Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026

Dog bite expert Michael Gould also disagrees with bans of specific breeds. —Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026

Adjective

For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience. —Usa Today, USA Today, 16 June 2026

Hedge funds are most attractive to investors when the over-all market performs poorly, as bruised investors seek ways to protect themselves against another crash by putting their money in the hands of people supposedly expert at managing risk. —Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 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

Pemberton went to Paris and to expert Baschet musician Thomas Bloch to record the ‘40s-era organ made of glass tubes of varying length, played with wet fingertips. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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 (1)

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