alchemist
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of alchemist
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English alkamist, probably from Medieval Latin alchymista, equivalent to alchym(ia) alchemy + -ista -ist
Explanation
If you're an alchemist, then you try to change common metals into gold. People have been trying to figure that out for a long time, so you might need to have another job to finance your career as an alchemist. The word alchemist comes from alchemy, which has origins in the Greek word khemeia, meaning "art of transmuting metals." Active since ancient times, alchemists could be considered very early chemists because of their work trying to transform base metals into gold. Alchemists could also be considered wizards because they attempted to make special elixirs that would give everlasting life and cure sickness.
Vocabulary lists containing alchemist
The Alchemist
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Cardboard Kingdom
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair (excerpt)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
Lichtenberg considers himself an AI alchemist of sorts, because he often has to re-prompt the tools he uses to get the writing and analysis he’s looking for.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026
A self-proclaimed alchemist, Williams specializes in transforming wet soil into hardened sculptures that typically live outdoors, where the wind carries seedlings that may attach to the artist’s creations and bloom.
From New York Times ● Mar. 22, 2024
Whoever can turn it invisible by bending light around it will change warfare just as dramatically as the Chinese alchemist 900 years ago who was looking for the elixir of life and discovered gunpowder.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2024
Back in the album chart, hip-hop alchemist Travis Scott holds steady at number two with his sprawling fourth album, Utopia.
From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2023
Not until the moon was high did the alchemist ride into view.
From "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho
Astrologers consult a national zodiac, palm readers ring pagodas, would-be alchemists attempt to transmute mercury into gold and SIM card companies advertise dial-a-diviners.
From Barron's ● Dec. 21, 2025
Transforming base materials into gold was one of the elusive goals of the alchemists of yore.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 29, 2024
In previous centuries, alchemists had tried to convert one type of metal into another, usually lead into gold, with a notable lack of success.
From Salon ● Aug. 12, 2023
Other highlights of the line-up include pop star Lizzo, Eurovision winners Måneskin, BBC Sound of 2023 winners Flo and experimental pop alchemists Sparks.
From BBC ● May 30, 2023
If we subtract one proton and three neutrons from mercury, we make gold, the dream of the ancient alchemists.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
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.
