experience
English meaning: Experience
Definition
The effect upon the judgment or feelings produced by any event, whether witnessed or participated in; personal and direct impressions as contrasted with description or fancies; personal acquaintance; actual enjoyment or suffering.
Example
“It was an experience he would not soon forget.”
Another example: “Visiting the rainforest was an unforgettable experience.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Knowledge or skill gained through doing or observing, or a particular event one lives through ('a memorable experience'). Common in everyday speech, job applications ('work experience') and philosophy. As a verb, to experience means to undergo or feel. Neutral register.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old French 'experience', from Latin 'experientia' (a trial, proof), from 'experiri' (to try, test); entered English in the 14th century.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- work experience
- life experience
- gain experience
- past experience
- user experience
- memorable experience
Word Forms
experience (n & v); experiences; experienced; experiencing; experienced (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B