-ist

1. a suffix of nouns, often corresponding to verbs ending in -ize or nouns ending in -ism, that denote a person who practices or is concerned with something, or holds certain principles, doctrines, etc.:

   apologist; dramatist; machinist; novelist; realist; socialist; Thomist.

-ist

suffix

1. forming nouns a person who performs a certain action or is concerned with something specified

   soloist

   motorist

2. forming nouns a person who practises in a specific field

   typist

   physicist

3. forming nouns and adjectives a person who advocates a particular doctrine, system, etc, or relating to such a person or the doctrine advocated

   socialist

4. forming nouns and adjectives a person characterized by a specified trait, tendency, etc, or relating to such a person or trait

   purist

5. forming nouns and adjectives a person who is prejudiced on the basis specified

   ageist

   sexist

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ist¹

Middle English -iste < Latin -ista < Greek -istēs; in some words, representing French -iste, German -ist, Italian -ista, etc., ≪ Latin < Greek, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ist¹

via Old French from Latin -ista, -istēs, from Greek -istēs

Example Sentences

Anyone who identifies as an ‘ist’ is going to be hypersensitive about some topics.

From The Daily Beast

In fact, he needs the most fundamentals-ist election of all time.

From The Daily Beast

The A-List chef as the star, with the A-ist customer and the A-ist owner in supporting roles.

From The Daily Beast

Weder sicher noch gerathen ist, etwas wider Gewissen zu thun.

From Project Gutenberg

Weise sein ist nicht allzeit gut—It is not always good to be wise.

From Project Gutenberg

Wer der Vorderste ist, fhrt die Herde—The foremost leads the herd.

From Project Gutenberg

Wo viel zu wagen ist, ist viel zu wgen—Where 15 there is much to risk, there is much to consider.

From Project Gutenberg

Wo viel Licht ist, ist starker Schatten—The shadow is deeper where the light is strong.

From Project Gutenberg