psychologist
Americannoun
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a specialist in psychology.
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Philosophy. an adherent to or advocate of psychologism.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of psychologist
First recorded in 1720–30; psycholog(y) + -ist
Compare meaning
How does psychologist compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A psychologist is a scientist who studies the mind. Unless specified, you should assume the psychologist studies the human mind — as opposed to, for example, a pet psychologist. A psychologist can be a researcher, who makes abstract studies of mental disorders and their treatments. Or, a psychologist can be licensed to see and treat patients, offering therapy for mental conditions or behavioral issues. The word comes from two Latin root, psyche, meaning "soul, mind, and spirit," and logia, meaning "the study of." Unlike a psychiatrist, a psychologist does not have a medical degree, and therefore cannot prescribe medication.
Vocabulary lists containing psychologist
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Psychologist Jean Twenge’s generational studies show that we are now more detached from communal life and more distrustful of each other.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025
His 2015 book, "More Than Bread and Butter: A Psychologist Speaks to Progressives About What People Really Need," reflected his experience teaching and coaching union leaders and political activists.
From Salon • Sep. 20, 2025
Psychologist Natasha Tiwari says mental health and well-being are "increasingly conflated" in the wellness sector, creating a "toxic mix".
From BBC • Aug. 9, 2025
Psychologist and Oxford University Professor Andrew Przybylski says the word "describes our dissatisfaction with the online world and it's a word that we can use to bundle our anxieties that we have around social media".
From BBC • Dec. 2, 2024
The Psychologist leant forward to see, holding out his hand for a specimen.
From The Time Machine by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
