it was a defining experience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was a defining experience" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or moment that significantly shaped your perspective or life. Example: "Traveling alone for the first time was a defining experience that taught me about independence and self-reliance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was a defining experience.

The New York Times

It was a defining experience for many of us, and certainly for me".

The New York Times - Science

Seeing photos of White Flint as it looks today, I was overcome with blended feelings of nostalgia and a depressing finality, like when you hear a song associated with a specific memory -- taking your first road trip, or dancing the night away with your best friends -- and realize it was a defining experience you'll never have again.

Huffington Post

It was a defining experience of my young career.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

First lady Michelle Obama and Valerie Jarrett, one of the president's closest advisers, both have roots in city government, and it has been noted that Obama's experience as a community organizer in Chicago was a defining experience in his life.

Huffington Post

"The Vietnam war was a defining experience in the US," he says.

The Guardian - Books

Growing up with the Beatles in the 60s, hearing and watching them evolve in real time, was a defining experience for millions of baby boomers around the world.

Huffington Post

We were thirty-five people, and I was responsible for keeping this navigational signal on-air, and it was a defining leadership experience.

The New Yorker

My four months in Ghana turned out to be a defining experience.

The New York Times

Shakespeare's two greatest plays have always been a defining experience for RSC directors.

The Guardian

Some diplomats say service in Iraq is a defining experience for their cohort, just as a generation of foreign service officers cut their teeth in Vietnam.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was a defining experience" to highlight a moment or event that fundamentally shaped your character, career, or understanding of the world. Be specific about how the experience influenced you.

Common error

Avoid using "it was a defining experience" as a generic statement. Provide details about what made the experience defining and its specific impact on you. Otherwise, consider alternatives like "it was memorable" or "it was significant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was a defining experience" functions as a subjective assessment, categorizing a particular event as significantly influential in shaping someone's character, perspective, or life trajectory. It implies a lasting impact that sets a precedent for future decisions and viewpoints, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was a defining experience" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the significance of an event in shaping one's character or perspective. As supported by Ludwig, it functions as a subjective assessment highlighting the transformative impact of a moment. While versatile, it’s best used with specific context to illustrate how the experience shaped the individual. Alternative phrases like "it was a pivotal moment" or "it was a transformative experience" can provide nuanced variations. Therefore, when writing, ensure the phrase accurately reflects the profound and lasting impact of the event being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it proved to be a pivotal experience

Replaces "defining" with "pivotal", emphasizing a turning point.

it turned out to be a formative experience

Substitutes "defining" with "formative", highlighting the influence on personal development.

it became a transformative experience

Replaces "defining" with "transformative", focusing on the change it brought about.

it served as a landmark experience

Emphasizes the significance of the experience as a memorable event.

it was a life-altering experience

Highlights the profound impact on one's life.

it was an eye-opening experience

Focuses on gaining new perspectives and understanding.

it was a watershed moment

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe a significant turning point.

it marked a turning point

Highlights the beginning of a new stage after the experience.

it had a lasting impact

Focuses on the prolonged influence of the experience.

it fundamentally shaped my outlook

Directly states the influence on one's perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "it was a defining experience" in a sentence?

Use "it was a defining experience" to describe a moment or period that significantly shaped your perspective, values, or life path. For example, "Working as a volunteer in a refugee camp "it was a defining experience" that instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and commitment to social justice."

What can I say instead of "it was a defining experience"?

You can use alternatives like "it was a pivotal moment", "it was a transformative experience", or "it was a formative experience" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "defining experience" or "significant experience"?

While both phrases are valid, "defining experience" suggests a more profound and lasting impact on one's character or life path. "Significant experience" simply implies that the experience was important or noteworthy. It depends on the degree of impact you want to convey.

What's the difference between "defining experience" and "life-changing experience"?

"Defining experience" emphasizes the role of an event in shaping someone's identity or perspective, while "life-changing experience" focuses on the profound alterations it brings to one's life circumstances or direction. A defining experience might subtly influence your worldview, whereas a life-changing experience often leads to tangible changes in your lifestyle or career.