seasoned
Experienced through long practice, exposure, or trial; hardened or made reliable by time.
Unlike 'experienced', which simply means having done something before, 'seasoned' implies that the person has been tested by various challenges, weather conditions, or crises and has emerged resilient and reliable.
Word relationships
- experienced: Experienced simply means having done a job for a long time, whereas seasoned implies being toughened and made wiser by specific challenges.
- weathered: Weathered often implies physical wear or aging from exposure, whereas seasoned focuses on the positive accumulation of wisdom and skill.
- green: Green implies being completely new, untested, and lacking practical experience.
- callow: Callow suggests immature, inexperienced, and lacking the sophistication that comes with age.
Commonly confused with
- seasonal: Seasonal refers to things that happen during a particular season of the year, whereas seasoned refers to a person with deep experience.
Word family
- season (verb): To make fit or reliable by experience; also to flavor food.
- seasoning (noun): The process of becoming seasoned, or the spices added to food.
Collocations
- seasoned traveler
- seasoned professional
- seasoned campaigner
- seasoned executive
Idioms & expressions
- seasoned to perfection
Example sentences
- "The seasoned diplomat quietly negotiated a ceasefire, drawing on decades of backroom negotiations." A classic description of a political figure navigating a crisis.
- "A seasoned veteran of the track, she did not let the false start disrupt her focus." Describing a professional athlete's composure.
Memory hook
Think of a cast-iron skillet that has been 'seasoned' with oil and heat over many years. This process makes it tough, non-stick, and ready for any culinary challenge, just like a seasoned professional is ready for any crisis. Seasoned like a perfect steak—toughened and improved by time.
When not to use
Do not use to describe someone who is highly skilled but has only been doing the job for a short time. Use 'adept' or 'proficient' instead.
Fun facts
- The culinary use of 'seasoning' (adding salt and spices) and the professional use of 'seasoned' actually share the exact same root. Both are about enhancing quality through time and preparation.
Also appears in
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