Synonyms of expert

expert 1 of 2

noun

ˈek-ˌspərt 

as in scholar

a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field

experts at the crime lab were able to tell the sex, race, and approximate age of the murderer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scholar
• master
• adept
• guru
• virtuoso
• wizard
• specialist
• artist
• authority
• consultant
• proficient
• maestro
• professional
• ace
• connoisseur
• geek
• enthusiast
• whiz
• hotshot
• fiend
• maven
• hand
• past master
• crackerjack
• shark
• meister
• sharp
• craftsman
• mavin
• dab hand
• pro
• fan
• cognoscente
• dab
• crackajack
• addict
• aficionado
• devotee
• buff
• hired gun
• journeyman
• afficionado
• mistress
• Renaissance man
• jack-of-all-trades
• all-rounder

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amateur
• novice
• beginner
• apprentice
• nonexpert
• neophyte
• inexpert
• layman
• dilettante
• dabbler
• nonprofessional

expert

2 of 2

adjective

ˈek-ˌspərt 

1

as in virtuoso

accomplished with trained ability

to a serious collector, the expert carving on the duck decoy justifies its high price

Synonyms & Similar Words

• virtuoso
• skillful
• artistic
• masterful
• delicate
• smooth
• masterly
• practised
• adroit
• deft
• artful
• dexterous
• practiced
• workmanlike
• dextrous
• adept
• bravura
• creative
• competent
• adequate
• capable
• facile
• ingenious
• fancy
• able
• clever
• cunning
• neat

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amateur
• unprofessional
• rude
• amateurish
• crude
• artless
• ineffective
• awkward
• clumsy
• incompetent
• unskillful
• ineffectual
• inept
• klutzy

2

as in skilled

having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor

people interested in laser eye surgery are advised to seek out an expert practitioner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• skilled
• adept
• skillful
• proficient
• experienced
• good
• veteran
• practiced
• virtuoso
• educated
• great
• master
• talented
• accomplished
• masterful
• gifted
• practised
• professed
• ace
• complete
• versed
• masterly
• consummate
• crackerjack
• crack
• capable
• trained
• competent
• qualified
• employable
• efficient
• compleat
• knowledgeable
• effective
• handy
• clever
• old
• deft
• adroit
• taught
• able
• dexterous
• polished
• dextrous
• slick
• all-round
• effectual
• refined
• schooled
• workmanlike
• fitted
• fit
• sure-handed
• well-rounded
• long-term
• all-around
• multiskilled
• multitalented
• tutored
• habile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inexperienced
• amateur
• inexpert
• unskilled
• incompetent
• unable
• incapable
• unqualified
• unprofessional
• amateurish
• weak
• unseasoned
• inept
• unfit
• unskillful
• unfitted
• ineffective
• crude
• artless
• inefficient
• rude
• would-be
• new
• ineffectual
• jackleg
• ignorant
• untrained
• inexperienced
• beginning
• green
• untutored
• untalented
• unschooled
• untaught
• untested
• primitive
• raw
• untried
• unseasoned
• ungifted
• talentless
• rough
• unpolished
• clumsy
• awkward
• heavy-handed
• ham-fisted
• ham-handed

Try This Instead

For

Try This

an expert fisherman

an experienced fisherman

a pro fisherman

an excellent fisherman

an accomplished fisherman

a skilled fisherman

an expert doctor

an exceptional doctor

a knowledgeable doctor

a smart doctor

a specialized doctor

a superb doctor

an expert author

a professional author

an advanced author

a premier author

an esteemed author

a proficient author

an expert individual

an elite individual

an exceptional individual

an exemplary individual

an extraordinary individual

a special individual

an expert critic

a qualified critic

a superior critic

an elite critic

a senior critic

an official critic

Synonym Chooser

How is the word expert distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of expert are adept, proficient, skilled, and skillful. While all these words mean "having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession," expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.

expert in the evaluation of wines

In what contexts can adept take the place of expert?

The words adept and expert are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

When is proficient a more appropriate choice than expert?

While the synonyms proficient and expert are close in meaning, proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.

proficient in translating foreign languages

When could skilled be used to replace expert?

Although the words skilled and expert have much in common, skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

When is it sensible to use skillful instead of expert?

In some situations, the words skillful and expert are roughly equivalent. However, skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance.

skillful drivers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of expert

Noun

Various studies from researchers around the world, including experts at the University of Arizona and Tulane University say drought, sea level rise, severe storms and dredging are partly to blame for the increase in frequency and swatch of saltwater intrusion. —Kati Weis, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2025

Many lawmakers and industry experts around the country have also deemed EV mandates unworkable due to insufficient charging infrastructure. —Albert R. Wynn, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2025

Adjective

In order to get more expert treatment villagers had to travel to the city. —Maureen Murphy, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2025

Additionally, nonprofits, my primary market, remained underserved in technology, ensuring a continuous need for expert guidance. —Will Freeman, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025