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expertise

Etymology and origin of the English word expertise

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
1868
Borrowed from
French expertise
Ultimate origin
French (expertise)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˌɛkspɜːˈtiːz/, /ˌɛkspəˈtiːz/ (UK); /ˌɛkspɚˈtis/, /ˌɛkspɚˈtiz/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from French expertise (“expert appraisal, expert's report”) (16th century), Middle French expertness,[2][3] from expert (see expert).[2][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The quality or state of being expert, skill: 1868.[2][5][3]

Semantic evolution

The OED also records expert opinion or knowledge, often obtained by consulting experts.[5] The earlier and more English word was expertness, from about 1600.[2]

Timeline

  • c. 1600 – expertness.[2]
  • 1868 – expertise.[5]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. Special skill or knowledge in a particular field; expertness.
  2. Expert advice or opinion.

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Expertise.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/expertise. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·