# chemist

/ˈkɛmɪst/ (US) · /kˈɛmɪst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chemist
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. scientist

noun · CEFR A2

a scientist who studies chemistry and works with chemicals.

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

- The chemist spent the afternoon in the lab testing the new cleaning product.
- The research chemist published a paper detailing the molecular changes observed during the high-temperature reaction.

### 2. pharmacist

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a person whose job is to prepare and sell medicine.

For teachers: a person qualified to prepare and dispense medicinal drugs.

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

noun · CEFR A2 · British English

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

For teachers: a retail establishment where medicines are sold and prescriptions are filled.

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

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

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

For teachers: a practitioner of alchemy, the medieval forerunner of chemistry.

- In the story, the chemist tried to find a way to live forever.
- The museum displayed several ancient tools used by a seventeenth-century chemist in his pursuit of the philosopher's stone.

Teaching tip: This sense is archaic; modern speakers use 'alchemist' for this historical context.

## Examples

- I went to the chemist for some painkillers.
- She visited the local chemist to buy a thermometer and some cough syrup for her son.
- The old chemist on the corner still keeps jars of dried herbs behind the counter, a relic of a time when medicine was mixed by hand.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.