# linguist

/ˈɫɪŋɡwɪst/ (US) · /lˈɪŋɡwɪst/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/linguist
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a person who studies how languages work, including how people speak, write, and understand them.

For teachers: a person who studies the structure, development, and use of human languages. Often focuses on the scientific analysis of grammar, phonetics, and semantics.

## Examples

- The linguist studies how children learn to speak.
- A professional linguist was hired to help the company design a more effective translation software.
- By examining the subtle shifts in regional dialects, the linguist reconstructed the historical migration patterns of the population over several centuries.

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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.