experience

Something that happens to you or that you take part in.

• The trip was a wonderful experience.
• He told us about his experiences abroad.
• Was your first day a good experience?

How to use it: experience of doing something (Her first experience of flying was exciting.)

Common phrases: new experience, wonderful experience, experience of something

The time you have spent doing something, especially a job, and the skill gained from it.

• He has ten years of experience.
• This job requires experience in teaching.
• She gained useful work experience at a local shop.

How to use it: experience in something (She has experience in sales.); experience of doing something (Do you have experience of working with children?)

Similar words: practice, expertise

Opposites: inexperience

Common phrases: work experience, years of experience, experience in something

The things you have lived through or done that give you knowledge and skills.

• Experience has taught me to be patient.
• We learned from the experience of earlier generations.
• Their shared experience helped them understand each other.

Opposites: inexperience

Common phrases: life experience, learn from experience, personal experience

The feelings or lasting impression that an event gives you.

• The music created a powerful experience.
• Her experience of loss changed how she saw the world.
• They described the emotional experience of seeing their home again.

How to use it: experience of something (His experience of grief changed him.)

Common phrases: emotional experience, powerful experience, experience of loss

To have something happen to you, or to feel or take part in something.

• I experienced no pain.
• We are experiencing delays because of the storm.
• Have you ever experienced anything like this?

Similar words: go through, undergo

Common phrases: experience problems, experience pain, experience something new, experience a culture