ENGLISH
REFERENCE

chemist

n.
US //ˈkɛmɪst// UK //kˈɛmɪst// chemist
  1. 1 scientist (n.)
    A2 Elementary Science

    a scientist who studies chemistry and works with chemicals.

    a person who specializes in the science of chemistry, typically at a professional or academic level.

    Example

    The chemist spent the afternoon in the lab testing the new cleaning product.

    Example

    The research chemist published a paper detailing the molecular changes observed during the high-temperature reaction.
  2. 2 pharmacist (n.)
    B1 Intermediate British English Medicine

    a person whose job is to prepare and sell medicine.

    a person qualified to prepare and dispense medicinal drugs.

    Example

    The chemist explained how many times a day I should take the pills.

    Example

    The chemist refused to dispense the medication without a valid signature from the attending physician.

    Usage

    Commonly used in British, Australian, and New Zealand English where American English uses 'pharmacist'.
  3. 3 pharmacy shop (n.)
    A2 Elementary British English

    a shop where you can buy medicine, soap, and other health products.

    a retail establishment where medicines are sold and prescriptions are filled.

    Example

    I need to stop at the chemist to get some aspirin and sunscreen.

    Example

    The local chemist on the high street remains open until midnight for emergency prescriptions.

    Usage

    Often used with 'the' to refer to the shop itself (e.g., 'at the chemist').
  4. 4 alchemist (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic

    an old word for a person who tried to turn ordinary metals into gold.

    a practitioner of alchemy, the medieval forerunner of chemistry.

    Example

    In the story, the chemist tried to find a way to live forever.

    Example

    The museum displayed several ancient tools used by a seventeenth-century chemist in his pursuit of the philosopher's stone.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is archaic; modern speakers use 'alchemist' for this historical context.
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰew- Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥ Ancient Greek -μᾰ (-mă) Ancient Greek χῠ́μᾰ (khŭ́mă) Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-i-eh₂ Proto-Hellenic *-íā Ancient Greek -ία (-ía) Ancient Greek χυμείᾱ (khumeíā)bor. Arabic الْكِيمِيَاء (al-kīmiyāʔ)bor. Medieval Latin alchēmia ▲ Ancient Greek χυμείᾱ (khumeíā)influ. New Latin chimiabor. Middle French chymie French chimie Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ίζω (-ízō) Proto-Hellenic *-tās Ancient Greek -τής (-tḗs) Ancient Greek -ιστής (-istḗs)der. Latin -istabor. French -iste French chimistebor. English chemist First attested 1562, borrowed from French chimiste, from Medieval Latin chimista, from earlier alchimista (literally “alchemist”), from Arabic الْكِيمِيَاء (al-kīmiyāʔ), with article اَلْ (al-) + Ancient Greek χυμεία (khumeía, “art of alloying metals”), from χύμα (khúma, “fluid”), from χυμός (khumós, “juice”), from χέω (khéō, “I pour”). The pronunciation with initial /k/ is based on the Graeco-Latin etymology rather than on the French word, where the pronunciation with /ʃ/ is based on native French orthography. As a synonym for pharmacy, a metonymous use of the proprietor to stand for their shop.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026