expert (English)

Where does "expert" come from?

The word 'expert' traces its origins back to the Latin 'expertus', which was the past participle of 'experior', meaning 'to try' or 'test'. It passed through Old French, where it described someone who was experienced, before entering Middle English. Ultimately, it reflects a history of someone whose deep knowledge is gained through the act of testing or attempting tasks.

Full etymology tree

• expert (English), 'A person with extensive knowledge or ability in a given subject.'
  • inherited expert (Middle English)
    • derived expert (Old French)
      • derived expertus (Latin), 'experienced; having experienced'
        • deverbal experior (Latin), 'to attempt, to try; to test, to put to the test, to find out, to prove; therefore, to make trial of a person or thing'

Direct ancestors

• per- (Proto-Indo-European)
• expertus (Latin)
• expertus (Latin)

Updated July 2026

Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris