noun
linguist
LIHNGG-wihst
Linguist (noun) means a scholar who studies the structure and history of language. Example: “The linguist traced how the word changed meaning over centuries.”
noun
1
A scholar who studies the structure and history of language.
"The linguist traced how the word changed meaning over centuries."
"She trained as a linguist before becoming a translator."
2
Someone who speaks several languages well.
"He's a natural linguist, picking up new languages with ease."
How to use linguist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA person who studies languages professionally, or simply someone good at learning them.
Common mistake
A linguist studies how language works; that's different from a "polyglot," who simply speaks many languages, though the two overlap.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- linguists
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The _____ traced how the word changed meaning over centuries.
Etymology
From Latin lingua ("language") plus the suffix -ist.
Synonyms
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polyglot
linguistic scientist
Related words
Rhymes for linguist
See all rhymes for linguist →Frequently asked questions
What does “linguist” mean?
The word “linguist” means a scholar who studies the structure and history of language. In plain terms, a person who studies languages professionally, or simply someone good at learning them.
How do you pronounce “linguist”?
“Linguist” is pronounced LIHNGG-wihst (/ˈlɪŋɡwɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “linguist” in a sentence?
Here is “linguist” used in a sentence: “The linguist traced how the word changed meaning over centuries.”
What part of speech is “linguist”?
“Linguist” is a noun.
Where does the word “linguist” come from?
The word “linguist” comes from Latin. From Latin lingua ("language") plus the suffix -ist.
How many meanings does “linguist” have?
“Linguist” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a scholar who studies the structure and history of language.
