Word
ecologist
Phoneticsecol·o·gist
US/iˈkɑɫədʒɪst/
UK/ɛkˈɒlədʒˌɪst/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who studies how plants, animals, and people live together in nature.
n. a scientist who studies the relationships between living things and their natural surroundings, including how populations, communities, and ecosystems function.
Examples
“The ecologist studies birds in the local park.”
“The ecologist visits the river every month to check water quality and fish numbers.”
“The ecologist argued that restoring the wetland would bring back native birds and reduce flooding in nearby villages.”
Examples
simple
“The ecologist studies birds in the local park.”
contextual
“The ecologist visits the river every month to check water quality and fish numbers.”
complex
“The ecologist argued that restoring the wetland would bring back native birds and reduce flooding in nearby villages.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ecologist” in context.
Verb
01. consult ecologist
“Developers must consult an ecologist before building near the river.”
verb + noun
02. ecologist predicts
“The ecologist predicts further forest loss without stronger protection.”
noun + verb
03. ecologist studies
“The ecologist studies how birds adapt to city environments.”
noun + verb
04. ecologist warns
“The ecologist warned that pollution is killing local fish.”
noun + verb
05. hire ecologist
“The council hired an ecologist to survey the protected meadow.”
verb + noun
06. interview ecologist
“The newspaper interviewed an ecologist about plastic pollution.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. leading ecologist
“A leading ecologist warned that wetland loss is accelerating.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. group of ecologists
“A group of ecologists published a report on declining bees.”
noun + prep + noun
09. a team of ecologists
“A team of ecologists surveyed the forest after the wildfire.”
10. according to leading ecologists
“According to leading ecologists, wetlands need urgent protection.”
11. consult a wildlife ecologist
“The builders had to consult a wildlife ecologist first.”
12. ecologists warn of habitat loss
“Ecologists warn of habitat loss across tropical regions.”
Real-World Examples
“This question has puzzled ecologists and biologists for decades.” “James Grecian, a marine ecologist at Durham University, UK, and scientist-in-residence at climate advocacy nonprofit Arctic Basecamp, has spent years studying polar wildlife.” “An ecologist is calling for a ban on plastic memorials in Kingston Cemetery.” “Bat ecologist Kirk Taray highlighted the escalating risk of disease transmission due to increased human exposure and closer interactions with wildlife.” Etymology
From eco- + -logist. The less common sense “environmentalist” might be from association with deep ecology, or influenced by Romance-language equivalents such as Spanish ecologista (“environmentalist”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/ecologist