noun
paleontologist
pay-lee-on-TOL-uh-jist
Paleontologist (noun) means a person who studies paleontology. Example: “The paleontologist carefully brushed the dirt from the fossil.”
noun
1
A person who studies paleontology.
"The paleontologist carefully brushed the dirt from the fossil."
"She trained as a paleontologist before joining the museum staff."
"A team of paleontologists spent the summer digging at the site."
How to use paleontologist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone whose work is paleontology.
When to use it
It is a neutral, professional term used in ordinary and scientific writing.
Memory tip
American writers spell it paleontologist, while Commonwealth writers use palaeontologist.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a vertebrate paleontologist
a museum paleontologist
paleontologists discovered
a team of paleontologists
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Fill the gap
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The _____ carefully brushed the dirt from the fossil.
Etymology
The word is formed in English from paleontology plus the suffix -ist.
Rhymes for paleontologist
ecologist
geologist
zoologist
biologist
urologist
oncologist
genealogist
sociologist
etymologist
radiologist
neurologist
pathologist
See all rhymes for paleontologist →
Frequently asked questions
What does a paleontologist do?
A paleontologist studies paleontology.
Is it paleontologist or palaeontologist?
Paleontologist is the American spelling. Palaeontologist is the form used in Commonwealth countries.
How do you pronounce paleontologist?
A common American pronunciation is pay-lee-on-TOL-uh-jist, with the stress on the fourth syllable.
What is the meaning of paleontologist?
"paleontologist" (noun) means a person who studies paleontology.
