receptionist

American  

[ri-sep-shuh-nist] / rɪˈsɛp ʃə nɪst /

noun

1. a person employed to receive and assist callers, clients, etc., as in an office.

2. Theology. a person who advocates receptionism.

---

receptionist British  

/ rɪˈsɛpʃənɪst /

noun

1. a person employed in an office, hotel, doctor's surgery, etc, to receive clients, guests, or patients, answer the telephone, arrange appointments, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of receptionist

First recorded in 1865–70; reception + -ist

Explanation

If you work as a receptionist in an office, you'll greet visitors and answer the phone. The receptionist in a dentist's office is usually the person to schedule your next appointment. Most offices have a receptionist, a type of secretary who's typically the first person you see when you walk into the room. Hotels often describe this person as a "desk clerk," but this is essentially a receptionist who books reservations and hands you your room key when you check in. The word receptionist dates from about 1900, when the earliest receptionists were hired to work in photography studios.

Example Sentences

The receptionist took me straight to an examination room.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

His mother “worked as a receptionist at a burglar alarm company—one of the few growth industries in the neighborhood” during the early 1960s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

While Ascentria attorneys have cleared TPS holders to keep working, Balthazar said her son lost his receptionist job.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Deutch is as twinkly as ever, but the breakout is Ben Wang as an ambitious CAA receptionist, the brainy Scarecrow of the group.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2026

I rang his surgery and spoke to a receptionist, asked for him by name.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

Related Words

• agent
• auditor
• bookkeeper
• cashier
• employee
• operator
• salesperson
• secretary
• teller
• worker