ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dentist

n.
US //ˈdɛnɪst// UK //dˈɛntɪst// den·tist
  1. 1 medical professional (n.)
    A2 Elementary Medicine

    a doctor who looks after your teeth and helps keep your mouth healthy.

    a practitioner who specialises in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.

    Example

    I need to see the dentist because my back tooth is hurting.

    Example

    Regular visits to the dentist are essential for preventing long-term decay and maintaining overall oral hygiene.
    • dental surgeon
    • orthodontist
    Pitfall
    I have an appointment to the dentist.
    I have an appointment at the dentist's.

    When referring to the place of work, use 'at the dentist's' or 'at the dentist'.

Origin

Borrowed from French dentiste.

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

Word family

Last updated June 20, 2026