experiences

IPA/ɪkˈspɪə.ri.əns/
KK[ɪkspˈɪriənsɪz]IPA/ɪkˈspɪr.i.əns/

experiences — noun

  • experiencessingular
  • experiencesesplural

1. the understanding and practical ability that you gain by repeatedly doing, seein

1.名詞B1
釋義

the understanding and practical ability that you gain by repeatedly doing, seeing, or taking part in something over time

例句

Jin has over ten years of experience in software development and team management.

experience + in + field/activity

This job ad asks for someone with experience of working with children from different backgrounds.

experience + of + gerund phrase

同義詞
  • expertise

    stronger, suggests specialist-level knowledge rather than general familiarity

  • practice

    focuses on the repeated doing of an activity rather than the accumulated understanding

  • know-how

    informal, practical knowledge of how to do something

反義詞

文法句型

experience + in + (doing) something

experience + of + (doing) something

用法筆記

Usually uncountable in this sense — you cannot say 'an experience' when you mean general knowledge or skill. 'Experiences' (plural) belongs to sense 3 (individual events).

常見錯誤

I gained many experiences in teaching.
I gained a lot of experience in teaching.
💡When referring to general knowledge or skill, 'experience' is uncountable.
She has a long experience in marketing.
She has extensive experience in marketing.' or 'She has a lot of experience in marketing.
💡Use adjectives like 'extensive' or 'a lot of' instead of 'a long'.

2. a general rule or pattern you expect to be true because of things that have happ

2.名詞B2
釋義

a general rule or pattern you expect to be true because of things that have happened to you — for example, knowing that arriving early to the airport gives you more seat choices, because that is the pattern you have noticed over many trips

例句

In my experience, students learn best when they feel safe to ask questions in class.

phrase: in my experience

It has been my experience that arriving early gives you a better choice of seats on long flights.

phrase: it has been my experience that...

同義詞
  • observation

    more neutral and detached, focuses on noticing rather than participating

  • track record

    emphasises the pattern of past results, often in professional contexts

文法句型

experience + that-clause

it is/has been my experience that...

用法筆記

Often appears in fixed phrases like 'in my experience' or 'it is my experience that' which introduce a generalisation. Distinguished from sense 1 in that it describes a pattern or rule of thumb, not accumulated skill.

常見錯誤

In my experiences, customers prefer fast service.
In my experience, customers prefer fast service.
💡When stating a general pattern, 'experience' stays singular and uncountable.

3. a particular event or situation that a person lives through and which leaves an

3.名詞A2
釋義

a particular event or situation that a person lives through and which leaves an emotional impression on them

例句

Going to a live concert for the first time was a truly unforgettable experience for Tuan.

adjective + experience: unforgettable experience

Lucía shared some of her travel experiences from her trip through Southeast Asia.

plural: travel experiences

同義詞
  • event

    more neutral, does not carry the emotional impact that 'experience' does

  • incident

    often suggests something negative or disruptive

  • episode

    suggests a distinct period or event within a longer series

文法句型

adjective + experience

experience + of + noun/-ing

用法筆記

Countable in this sense — you can say 'an experience' and 'experiences' (plural). Contrast with sense 1 which is uncountable. The adjective before 'experience' carries the emotional evaluation (positive, negative, scary, wonderful).

常見錯誤

I had experience of watching a volcano erupt.
I had an experience of watching a volcano erupt.' or 'I had the experience of watching a volcano erupt.
💡A specific event needs the article 'a' or 'the'.

4. the particular quality or feeling that a situation, a designed service, or a pro

4.名詞B1
釋義

the particular quality or feeling that a situation, a designed service, or a product gives you — focusing on how enjoyable, smooth, or impressive it feels rather than on the event itself

例句

The restaurant aims to create a fine-dining experience that guests will remember for years.

noun + experience: fine-dining experience

Our website needs to offer a smoother shopping experience for customers using mobile phones.

adjective + experience: smoother shopping experience

同義詞
  • impression

    focuses on the effect something has on your mind, less holistic than 'experience'

  • feeling

    more personal and emotional, less about the overall package

文法句型

the + noun + experience

possessive + experience + of + noun

用法筆記

Typically singular ('the experience', 'an experience'). Often used in marketing and service contexts to describe the overall impression a product or service creates. Closely related to sense 3 but focuses on the quality or flavour of an activity rather than the activity itself.

常見錯誤

The hotel stay was a good experiencing.
The hotel stay was a good experience.
💡Do not use 'experiencing' (the gerund) as a noun here.

5. an organised activity that you can pay for yourself or buy as a present for some

5.名詞B2
釋義

an organised activity that you can pay for yourself or buy as a present for someone else, such as a cooking class, a hot-air balloon ride, or a spa day

例句

For her birthday, Darius bought Meera a hot-air balloon experience over the countryside.

buy + someone + an experience

The company sells experience gifts like scuba-diving lessons and guided city tours.

compound noun: experience gifts

同義詞
  • activity

    broader, does not carry the gift/concept-package meaning

  • package

    focuses on the bundled nature of what you buy

文法句型

buy/give/book + someone + an experience

experience + gift

用法筆記

A relatively recent commercial usage. The 'experience' is the activity itself, not a physical item. Common in e-commerce and gift-market contexts. Countable — 'experiences' in the plural refers to multiple such packaged activities.

常見錯誤

I bought my mother an experience for her birthday.' (fine but may confuse)
I bought my mother an experience gift for her birthday.
💡Adding 'gift' makes the meaning clearer for learners.

experiences — verb