expert
gb/ˈɛkspɚt/ us/ˈɛkspɚt/
B1
English
~ 1800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Person highly skilled or knowledgeable
Someone who knows a lot about a subject or can do something very well.
Usage pattern:
an expert in [subject]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'expert' with 'professional'; not all professionals are experts, and 'expert' focuses on skill level rather than job status.
Synonyms
specialist (Often used for someone focused on a narrow area within a field.)
|
professional (Implies formal training and often paid work, not always the same as deep expertise.)
Antonyms
amateur (Someone doing an activity without professional skill or formal training.)
|
novice (A beginner with little or no experience in the subject.)
Collocations
subject-matter expert
|expert advice
|expert opinion
|expert witness
|technical expert
Themes
education
|work
|skills
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She is an expert in marine biology.
- The company hired an IT expert to fix the network.
- He is widely regarded as an expert on climate change.
- We consulted several experts before making the decision.
Learner examples
- My father is an expert in cooking.
- She is an expert at playing the piano.
- He is an expert on cars.
- We asked an expert to help us.
adjective
B2
property
2
Highly skilled or knowledgeable
Knowing a lot or being very good at something.
Usage pattern:
an expert [noun]
Common mistake:
Some learners place 'expert' incorrectly after the noun; in attributive use it usually comes before the noun, e.g., 'expert driver' not 'driver expert'.
Synonyms
skilled (General term for ability; does not always imply top-level expertise.)
|
proficient (Competent and capable, but not necessarily at the highest level.)
Antonyms
inexperienced (Lacking experience and often skill in a particular area.)
|
unskilled (Lacking training or ability.)
Collocations
expert advice
|expert analysis
|expert handling
Themes
skills
|work
|core_vocabulary
|education
Examples
- She gave an expert performance on the violin.
- The cake was decorated with expert precision.
- He offered expert guidance to the new employees.
Learner examples
- She is an expert cook.
- He gave expert help to the team.
- The artist made an expert drawing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
expert
IPA
GB/ˈɛkspɚt/
US/ˈɛkspɚt/
Syllables & stress
ex - pert (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ex)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: expert
Noun
- Base: expert
- Plural: experts
Word family
Forms
experts
noun
Core family
expertise
noun B2
expertly
adverb
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
inexpert
adjective
inexpertly
adverb
Expressions
expert opinion
1/ˈɛkspɚt əpˈɪnjən/
fixed phrase
Judgment from a specialist
Advice or a view given by someone who knows a lot about the subject.
Examples
- In my expert opinion, the design will not work.
- The report was based on several expert opinions.
expert witness
1/ˈɛkspɚt wˈɪtnəs/
fixed phrase
Specialist giving testimony in court
A person who knows a lot about a subject and speaks about it in court to help explain evidence.
Examples
- The prosecution called an expert witness to explain the medical evidence.
- As an expert witness, she testified about the safety standards in the industry.
subject-matter expert
1/sˈʌbd͡ʒɪkt mˈætɚ ˈɛkspɚt/
fixed phrase
technical
Specialist in specific subject area
Someone who knows a lot about one topic or area of work.
Examples
- We need a subject-matter expert to review this document.
- He worked as a subject-matter expert for the project.