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noun B1 Intermediate Uncommon

librarian

leye-BREH-uh-ree-uhn

Librarian (noun) means a person who manages, organizes, and helps people use a library's collection. Example: “The librarian helped her track down a rare first edition.”

noun
1
A person who manages, organizes, and helps people use a library's collection.
"The librarian helped her track down a rare first edition."
"He trained as a librarian after finishing his degree in information science."

How to use librarian

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone whose job is running and organizing a library.

Word forms

librarians plural

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The _____ helped her track down a rare first edition.

Etymology

From library plus the agent-forming suffix -an; first recorded in English around 1710.

· First attested 1710

Class of 1710 librarian joined the language around 1710.
See the full Class of 1710 →
archivist information specialist library-keeper

Related words

Rhymes for librarian

See all rhymes for librarian →

Frequently asked questions

What does “librarian” mean?

The word “librarian” means a person who manages, organizes, and helps people use a library's collection. In plain terms, someone whose job is running and organizing a library.

How do you pronounce “librarian”?

“Librarian” is pronounced leye-BREH-uh-ree-uhn (/laɪˈbɹɛə̯ɹi.ən/ in IPA).

How do you use “librarian” in a sentence?

Here is “librarian” used in a sentence: “The librarian helped her track down a rare first edition.”

What is another word for “librarian”?

Words with a similar meaning to “librarian” include library-keeper.

What part of speech is “librarian”?

“Librarian” is a noun.

Where does the word “librarian” come from?

The word “librarian” dates back to around 1710. From library plus the agent-forming suffix -an; first recorded in English around 1710.

Is “librarian” a common word?

“Librarian” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

What is the difference between a librarian and a library assistant?

A librarian typically holds professional training in organizing, cataloguing, and helping people use a library's collection, often overseeing its systems and services. A library assistant usually supports day-to-day tasks like shelving and checkout under a librarian's guidance, without the same level of specialized responsibility.

Do you need a degree to be called a librarian?

In many professional settings, the title librarian is reserved for someone with formal qualifications in library science, though informally the word is also used more loosely for anyone who manages and helps people use a collection of books.

What does a librarian actually do besides check out books?

A librarian organizes and manages a library's collection, helps patrons find information and resources, and often assists with research, cataloguing, and maintaining the library's overall usability.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial