entomologist
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of entomologist
First recorded in 1770–80; entomolog(y) ( def. ) + -ist ( def. )
Explanation
If you are crazy about spiders, ants, beetles, and other creepy-crawlies, you might aspire to be an entomologist someday — a scientist who studies insects. An entomologist is a specific type of zoologist, or animal scientist. While other zoologists might focus on mammals or reptiles, entomologists are fascinated with the most prolific organisms on earth — insects. Some entomologists classify and study species, while others are certified to be pest control experts, helping people battle bugs like cockroaches and termites in their homes. The Greek word entomon, or "insect," is at the root of entomologist.
Vocabulary lists containing entomologist
"The Experiment" and "Superstition"
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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.
Faraji is an entomologist who sometimes calls the insects he studies “skeeters” and who sent me a photo of his desk piled high with mosquito-related history books when I asked him for reading recommendations.
From Slate ● Aug. 4, 2026
Schmidt, an entomologist who specialized in insect defenses, created the sting-pain index which ranks stings from a harmless 0 to an excruciating 4.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
The behavior was reported this week in the journal Ecology and Evolution and was observed by entomologist Mark Moffett, a research associate at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 14, 2026
The author was born into a traditional nuclear family: father Carl was an entomologist and mother Margaret a dietitian/nutritionist; her brother Harold preceded her, and sister Ruth arrived a dozen years later.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2025
California is virtually alone among the states in having a formal program in biological control, and many states have not even one entomologist who devotes full time to it.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
