What does seasoned mean?
Seasoned most commonly describes a person who has extensive practical experience in a particular field. A seasoned journalist, traveller, or musician has usually spent years developing judgment, skill, and an understanding that cannot be gained quickly. The word can also describe food that has been flavored with salt, spices, herbs, or other ingredients, or food that has been dried or cured to develop a deeper flavor. In the professional sense, seasoned generally carries a positive implication of reliability and expertise. The phrase “seasoned professional” is especially common, while culinary uses include “highly seasoned” and “seasoned with.” Although seasoned can be contrasted with inexperienced, the word is also sometimes used more broadly to mean mature or well established, as in “a seasoned performer.”
Having extensive experience, knowledge, or skill in a particular activity or field.
"The team sought advice from a seasoned engineer."
Usually positive; often implies long practical experience and reliable judgment.
Flavored with salt, spices, herbs, or other ingredients, or developed in flavor through drying, curing, or aging.
"He served a bowl of richly seasoned soup."
Common in culinary contexts; may imply strong or well-developed flavor.
A seasoned professional has learned to recognize what the textbooks cannot: when the situation is more complicated than it first appears.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does seasoned come from?
Seasoned derives from the verb “season,” which originally meant to improve something by adding flavor or seasoning and, by extension, to mature or prepare it through experience. The word comes through Old French saison, from the Latin sation, a term associated with sowing or planting at the appropriate season. Its modern sense of being experienced developed by analogy with the way a person becomes mature or proficient through long practice.
How seasoned is actually used
In its sense of being experienced, seasoned is usually positive and implies long practical familiarity. In culinary contexts, it describes food that has been flavored or allowed to develop a strong flavor over time.
Easily confused with seasoned
Seasoned means experienced or well established in a role, while seasonal means occurring only at a particular time of year.