experiment

Everyday

1. A test done carefully to find out something, check an idea, or see what happens. tree →
2. To try new things or ideas to see what they are like (experiment with colours). tree →
3. A new way of doing something that is being tried out. tree →

In the lessons

In science it is the heart of learning: a fair test changes one thing (the variable) and keeps everything else the same; you predict, test, measure, record results and draw a conclusion. In art and cooking you experiment with materials and recipes. In safety: experiments are done only with a teacher or adult, wearing goggles if needed — never mix household chemicals to «experiment». Phrases: do an experiment, carry out an experiment, a fair test, experiment with, science experiment.

Examples

• We did an experiment to see which ball bounces highest. tree →
• In a fair experiment, you only change one thing. tree →
• Write down your prediction before the experiment. tree →
• She experimented with different colours in her painting. tree →
• Never mix cleaning products as an experiment — it can make poison gas. tree →
• The experiment showed that plants grow towards the light. tree →
• Let's experiment with the recipe and add some cinnamon. tree →
• He split the second bulrush as an experiment and just the same thing happened. tree →

Note

Say «do / carry out an experiment» (not «make an experiment» in usual English). Adjective: experimental. Results of one experiment may be wrong; scientists repeat experiments to be sure.