linguist

noun

lin·​guist ˈliŋ-gwist 

1

: a person accomplished in languages

especially : one who speaks several languages

2

: a person who specializes in linguistics

Examples of linguist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Babbel was developed by more than 100 expert linguists, with material available for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026

One key supporter in the fight to preserve and teach Creole was Jean Bernabé, a linguist and writer from nearby Martinique. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

Amid changing forests, a blind Polish linguist searches for sounds that might heal what human language cannot. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026

What’s happening now could be a repeat of that, said Katie Bernstein, an applied linguist and professor of early childhood education at Arizona State University. — Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from New Latin linguista, from Latin lingua "tongue, speech, language" + -ista -ist entry 1 — more at tongue entry 1

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

linguist

noun

lin·​guist ˈliŋ-gwəst 

1

: a person skilled in languages

2

: a person who specializes in linguistics