psychologist
AmericanEtymology
Origin of psychologist
First recorded in 1720–30; psycholog(y) + -ist
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Explanation
A psychologist is a scientist who studies the mind. Unless specified, you should assume the psychologist studies the human mind — as opposed to, for example, a pet psychologist. A psychologist can be a researcher, who makes abstract studies of mental disorders and their treatments. Or, a psychologist can be licensed to see and treat patients, offering therapy for mental conditions or behavioral issues. The word comes from two Latin root, psyche, meaning "soul, mind, and spirit," and logia, meaning "the study of." Unlike a psychiatrist, a psychologist does not have a medical degree, and therefore cannot prescribe medication.
Vocabulary lists containing psychologist
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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.
Robert Altemeyer, a Canadian psychologist, described such people in 2006 in an eerily prophetic manner:
From Salon • May 18, 2026
Keenan wanted to understand more about his memories of being in a coma, so the BBC arranged for him to meet consultant clinical psychologist Pieter du Toit, who is clinical director of the charity Brainkind.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
The clinical psychologist on mediating problems between her mother and father, her two-chapter childhood and working with patients in front of the camera.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
The normalization of being chronically online makes it hard to gauge when phone use becomes addictive, but according to consultant psychologist Darren O’Reilley, addiction should be considered as a restructuring of priorities.
From Slate • May 12, 2026
This test was devised by a very clever psychologist named John Bargh.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
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.
