scientist
SEYE-uhn-tihst
Scientist (noun) means a person who studies or works in one of the sciences, typically through research and experiment. Example: “The marine scientist collected water samples from the bay every week.”
noun
1
A person who studies or works in one of the sciences, typically through research and experiment.
"The marine scientist collected water samples from the bay every week."
"The scientist spent years researching a cure for the disease."
"She always wanted to be a scientist when she grew up."
How to use scientist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone whose job or pursuit is scientific research.
Common pairings
research scientist
climate scientist
data scientist
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Word forms
- Plural
- scientists
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The marine _____ collected water samples from the bay every week.
Etymology
Coined in 1834 by the English philosopher William Whewell, modeled on "artist," to replace the older terms "natural philosopher" and "man of science."
Class of 1834
scientist joined the language around 1834.
See the full Class of 1834 →
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “scientist” mean?
The word “scientist” means a person who studies or works in one of the sciences, typically through research and experiment. In plain terms, someone whose job or pursuit is scientific research.
How do you pronounce “scientist”?
“Scientist” is pronounced SEYE-uhn-tihst (/ˈsaɪəntəst/ in IPA).
How do you use “scientist” in a sentence?
Here is “scientist” used in a sentence: “The scientist spent years researching a cure for the disease.”
What part of speech is “scientist”?
“Scientist” is a noun.
Where does the word “scientist” come from?
The word “scientist” dates back to around 1834. Coined in 1834 by the English philosopher William Whewell, modeled on "artist," to replace the older terms "natural philosopher" and "man of science.".
Is “scientist” a common word?
“Scientist” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between a 'scientist' and an 'engineer'?
A scientist studies or works in one of the sciences, typically through research and experiment to understand how the world works. An engineer applies that knowledge to design and build practical things such as machines, structures, or systems. In short, scientists focus on discovery and engineers on application, though the roles often overlap.
What is the difference between a 'scientist' and a 'researcher'?
A scientist works specifically in one of the sciences, using research and experiment as their method. 'Researcher' is broader and covers anyone who investigates a subject systematically, including in the humanities or social sciences. All scientists do research, but not every researcher is a scientist.
Why do we capitalize 'Scientist' in some titles but not others?
The common noun 'scientist' is lowercase in ordinary writing, as in 'she is a scientist.' It is capitalized only when part of a formal job title or proper name directly before someone's name, such as 'Chief Scientist Jane Doe.' Otherwise the word stays lowercase.
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