What does experimenting mean?
Experimenting is the act of trying things out in order to learn what happens or what works. As the present participle of the verb 'experiment', it describes an ongoing process of deliberate testing rather than passive observation: a chemist experimenting with catalysts, a cook experimenting with spices, or a teenager experimenting with fashion are all actively varying their approach and watching the outcome. The word spans two registers of meaning — in science it implies systematic trials conducted under controlled conditions, while in everyday life it suggests open-ended curiosity, playfulness, and willingness to fail in pursuit of discovery. Its connotations are largely positive, evoking innovation and growth, though phrases like 'experimenting on animals' can carry serious ethical overtones. Because it captures both rigorous inquiry and casual exploration, it is one of English's most versatile words for describing how knowledge and skill actually develop.
Present participle of 'experiment': performing trials or tests to discover something unknown, verify a hypothesis, or determine what is effective.
"The team has been experimenting with solar-powered sensors for months."
Usually followed by 'with' (trying ideas) or 'on' (testing subjects); 'on' can imply ethical sensitivity when applied to living beings.
The action or process of conducting experiments; trial-and-error activity as a practice.
"Constant experimenting is essential to progress in materials science."
The word 'experiment' literally comes from Latin for 'a trial through experience' — so every time you're experimenting, you're learning by living it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of experimenting
Experimenting traces back to the Latin verb experiri, meaning 'to try' or 'to test', formed from ex- ('out') plus the root per- ('to attempt, risk'), which also gives us 'expert', 'peril', and 'empirical'. The noun 'experiment' entered English from Old French in the Middle Ages, and its use as a verb developed later, becoming well established by the early modern period. The present participle 'experimenting' thus carries within it the ancient idea that true understanding must be won through trial and risk.
Related word forms
How experimenting is actually used
Register-neutral; suitable for both formal scientific writing and everyday speech. In scientific contexts it often implies controlled, methodical testing, while in general use it suggests informal trial and error. The verb is typically followed by 'with' when referring to ideas or styles, but by 'on' when referring to testing subjects — 'experimenting on animals' carries notably more ethical weight than 'experimenting with recipes'.
Easily confused with experimenting
'Experience' means to undergo or encounter something directly, while 'experimenting' means deliberately testing something to observe a result.