linguist

noun

lin·​guist ˈliŋ-gwist How to pronounce linguist (audio)
1
: a person accomplished in languages
especially : one who speaks several languages
2
: a person who specializes in linguistics

Examples of linguist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Before my departure, our SST team, which was composed of chemists, engineers, physicists, woodworkers, linguists, artists, and forensics experts, continued to plan and rehearse deception schemes on the streets of Washington, DC. Dawn Klavon, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 Most of the work was directed by the organization’s founders: two linguists, including Kaufman, and a poet. New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024 But Olander says most historical linguists think Celtic languages are much more closely related to Italic languages. Kurt Kleiner, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2024 But most linguists still believe that the only species that possesses language is our own. Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023 Founded in Manhattan in 2010 and co-directed by the linguists Ross Perlin and Daniel Kaufman, E.L.A. documents languages spoken in New York City, hundreds of which are endangered. John Otis, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The computational technique used in the new analysis is hotly disputed among linguists. Kurt Kleiner, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2024 Jaime has worked with a linguist to put together a Chaná dictionary of about 1,000 words, and taught his daughter, Evangelina Jaime, the language. Catherine Garcia, theweek, 18 Jan. 2024 As author Christine Kenneally writes, linguists have recently found that Murrinhpatha speakers prepare to speak in a previously unknown way, which adds to evidence that language influences our perceptions. Laura Helmuth, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'linguist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin lingua language, tongue

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of linguist was in 1591

Dictionary Entries Near linguist

Cite this Entry

“Linguist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linguist. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

linguist

noun
lin·​guist ˈliŋ-gwəst How to pronounce linguist (audio)
1
: a person skilled in languages
2
: a person who specializes in linguistics
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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