What does "experimental" mean?

1. (scientific testing) relating to scientific tests or based on doing experiments. 2. (new and untried) using new methods or ideas that have not been proven yet. 3. (art and music) using very new or strange ideas in art, music, or writing. 4. (test subject) a person or thing that is being used in a scientific test.

How do you use "experimental"?

Often used to modify nouns like 'data', 'results', or 'phase'. This noun use is rare outside of specific technical or academic contexts; 'subject' is more common.

experimental

adj. · n.

US //ɪkˌspɛɹɪˈmɛntəɫ// UK //ɛkspˌɛɹɪmˈɛntəl// ex·per·i·men·tal

1 scientific testing (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Science

relating to scientific tests or based on doing experiments.

pertaining to, derived from, or founded on the use of controlled experiments to test a hypothesis.

Example

The scientists are still in the experimental stage of the new drug trial.

Example

The researchers published their experimental findings in a peer-reviewed journal, detailing the rigorous controls used during the double-blind study.

Usage

Often used to modify nouns like 'data', 'results', or 'phase'.
- empirical
- test based
- theoretical
2 new and untried (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

using new methods or ideas that have not been proven yet.

serving as a trial or tentative procedure; not yet established or finalised.

Example

The school is trying an experimental teaching method this year.

Example

The government launched an experimental universal basic income programme in three small municipalities to observe its impact on local employment rates.
- established
- proven

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3 art and music (adj.)
C1 Advanced Academic

using very new or strange ideas in art, music, or writing.

referring to avant-garde or innovative techniques that depart from traditional forms.

Example

I found the experimental jazz concert a bit difficult to listen to.

Example

The gallery specialises in experimental digital art that challenges the viewer's perception of physical space and time.
- avant garde
- innovative
- radical
- traditional
- conventional
4 test subject (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Science

a person or thing that is being used in a scientific test.

the subject or entity undergoing an experiment.

Example

The researcher monitored each experimental throughout the six-week study.

Example

Ethical guidelines require that every experimental be fully informed of the potential risks before the clinical trial commences.

Usage

This noun use is rare outside of specific technical or academic contexts; 'subject' is more common.
- subject
- participant

Origin

From experiment + -al.

Word family

Adjectiveexperimental
Adverbexperimentally