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

Noun

• ace
• adept
• artist
• authority
• cognoscente
• connoisseur
• crackerjack
• crackajack
• dab [chiefly British]
• dab hand [chiefly British]
• fiend
• geek
• guru
• hand
• hotshot
• maestro
• master
• maven
• mavin
• meister
• past master
• proficient
• scholar
• shark
• sharp
• virtuoso
• whiz
• wizard

Adjective

• adroit
• artful
• bravura
• deft
• delicate
• dexterous
• dextrous
• masterful
• masterly
• practiced
• practised
• skillful
• virtuoso
• workmanlike

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

On tap for the region through Saturday night are severe thunderstorms and torrential downpours that could even produce multiple tornadoes, said AccuWeather severe weather expert Guy Pearson. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2025

In 2013, overwhelming evidence, including expert U.S.-intelligence analysis, showed that the Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad had used chemical weapons on his people. —Kori Schake, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2025

Adjective

When the researchers tested the system using videos of 158 real-world cases, 53% of reports written by the surgeons contained discrepancies, compared with 29% of AI reports, as determined by an expert team of reviewers. —Nancy Lapid, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. —Emily Goligoski, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025

Verb

For the skiers, Steamboat Ski Resort can handle all skill levels, from novice to expert. —Mindy Sink, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025

Skill sets ranged from intermediate to expert—a critical mix to assess which boards are best for each specific skill level. —Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 27 Sep. 2024

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 opinion
• expert system
• expert witness

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