dermatologist

American  

[dur-muh-tol-uh-jist] / ˌdɜr məˈtɒl ə dʒɪst /

noun

1. a specialist in dermatology, especially a doctor who specializes in the treatment of diseases of the skin.

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Etymology

Origin of dermatologist

First recorded in 1860–65; dermatolog(y) + -ist

Explanation

The person who examines your moles, acne, and other skin problems is called a dermatologist. Once visited mainly for acne problems, dermatologists have become more important, as skin problems have grown more common with our increased exposure to the sun. You know that an "-logy" at the end of a word means "study" and that "-logist" means "one who studies. In the noun dermatologist, the object being studied is the derma, the Greek word for "skin." (The Greeks also used it to refer to "leather" or "hide," which still works for diehard sun worshipers. And think of elephants being called "pachyderms," with their "thick skin.") Dermatology and dermatologist both appeared in English in the 19th century.

Example Sentences

Mudgil, a dermatologist, devoted two episodes of his podcast—typically about skin care, fitness and inspirational people—to the topic.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Back in cold, gray Chicago, I head to the suburbs for a dermatologist appointment to check off a skin-cancer screening before the new baby arrives.

From Slate • May 10, 2026

The lesion -- clearly visible in recent weeks -- was a basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, said dermatologist Cristina Abdalla, who led the procedure at the Sirio-Libanes Hospital in Sao Paulo.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

The study was led by Sam Polesie, Associate Professor of Dermatology and Venereology at the University of Gothenburg and a dermatologist at Sahlgrenska University Hospital:

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

We could trade war stories about our latest dermatologist visits and new favorite products.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi