receptionist

[ri-sep-shuh-nist]

noun

1. a person employed to receive and assist callers, clients, etc., as in an office.

2. Theology.,  a person who advocates receptionism.

receptionist

/ rɪˈsɛpʃənɪst /

noun

1. a person employed in an office, hotel, doctor's surgery, etc, to receive clients, guests, or patients, answer the telephone, arrange appointments, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of receptionist¹

First recorded in 1865–70; reception + -ist

Example Sentences

Over the course of a hot summer day, four hairdressers and a young receptionist spar and bond with each other and a parade of customers who arrive seeking transformation both physical and spiritual.

From Los Angeles Times

Is that why his receptionist was selling cookies downstairs?

From Los Angeles Times

"Had the show not happened, I don't even know what I'd be doing. I have dyslexia and I'm not really great school-wise, so I think I'd be, at the best, a receptionist."

From BBC

The receptionist said she then got between them, and the guard reached for the rapper.

From Los Angeles Times

Her case was bolstered by testimony from the doctor she was there to see and his receptionist - Tierra Malcolm - who rushed between the arguing women in an attempt to break up the fight.

From BBC

Related Words

• agent 
• auditor 
• bookkeeper www.thesaurus.com
• cashier 
• employee 
• operator 
• salesperson 
• secretary 
• teller 
• worker