noun
Uncommon
sociologist
soh-see-OL-uh-jist
Sociologist (noun) means a social scientist who studies society and how people behave within it. Example: “The sociologist interviewed dozens of families for her research.”
noun
1
A social scientist who studies society and how people behave within it.
"The sociologist interviewed dozens of families for her research."
"He trained as a sociologist before moving into journalism."
"Sociologists often study how communities respond to change."
How to use sociologist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who studies how people live and behave together in society.
When to use it
The word is neutral and academic, used in both everyday and scholarly writing.
Memory tip
Spot the family pattern: sociology is the subject, and a sociologist is the person who studies it.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
trained sociologist
leading sociologist
sociologist at the university
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like sociologist.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ interviewed dozens of families for her research.
Etymology
The word is built from sociology with the ending -ist, which marks a person who practises or studies a subject.
Synonyms
View more →
social scientist
Rhymes for sociologist
geologist
zoologist
biologist
urologist
oncologist
genealogist
etymologist
radiologist
neurologist
pathologist
seismologist
nephrologist
See all rhymes for sociologist →
Frequently asked questions
What does a sociologist do?
A sociologist studies society, looking at how people behave, interact and organise themselves in groups.
Is a sociologist a scientist?
Yes, a sociologist is a type of scientist, specifically one who studies the field of sociology as a social scientist.
Where does the word sociologist come from?
It comes from sociology with -ist added, the same ending used for words like scientist or artist.
What is the meaning of sociologist?
"sociologist" (noun) means a social scientist who studies society and how people behave within it.
