chemist
gb/kˈɛmɪst/ us/kˈɛmɪst/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
role
1
scientist who studies chemicals
A chemist is a scientist who works with chemicals.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a chemist; a chemist at/in [place]
Common mistake:
In British English, chemist can also mean a pharmacist or a pharmacy shop; in American English, pharmacist/pharmacy is usually used for that meaning.
Synonyms
chemical scientist (More formal; often used in academic or institutional contexts.)
|
researcher (Broader; not limited to chemistry.)
Collocations
research chemist
|analytical chemist
|organic chemist
|industrial chemist
|qualified chemist
|trained chemist
|a team of chemists
|chemist in a lab
|chemist at a university
|chemist at a pharmaceutical company
Themes
science
|education
|work
Examples
- The chemist analyzed the water sample for traces of lead.
- As a chemist, she studies how different materials react under heat.
- The company hired two chemists to develop a safer cleaning product.
Learner examples
- My aunt is a chemist.
- Chemists work in laboratories.
Noun
B2
role
2
pharmacist who gives medicine
In the UK, a chemist can mean a pharmacist.
Usage pattern:
ask/talk to the chemist; the chemist at [place]
Common mistake:
Learners may assume chemist always means a chemistry scientist; in the UK it can mean the person who gives out medicine in a pharmacy.
Synonyms
pharmacist (The standard term internationally, especially in American English.)
Collocations
ask the chemist
|talk to the chemist
|consult the chemist
|the chemist on duty
|the chemist behind the counter
|your local chemist
|community chemist
|registered chemist
|chemist's advice
|speak to a chemist
Themes
health
|daily_life
|work
Examples
- The chemist told me not to take the tablets on an empty stomach.
- If the rash gets worse, ask the chemist for advice.
- The chemist checked whether my new medicine would interact with the old one.
Learner examples
- I asked the chemist about this medicine.
Noun
B1
entity
3
pharmacy shop
In the UK, a chemist can mean a pharmacy shop.
Usage pattern:
go to the chemist; at the chemist; from the chemist
Common mistake:
This meaning is common in the UK; in the US, people usually say pharmacy or drugstore (not chemist).
Synonyms
pharmacy (The most general term; used in both British and American English.)
|
drugstore (Common in American English; can also sell many non-medical items.)
Collocations
go to the chemist
|pop into the chemist
|the local chemist
|nearest chemist
|chemist on the corner
|buy it at the chemist
|pick it up from the chemist
|a visit to the chemist
|chemist's shop
|the chemist near the station
Themes
health
|shopping
|daily_life
Examples
- I’m going to the chemist to pick up my prescription.
- You can buy cough syrup at the chemist.
- There’s a chemist next to the supermarket.
Learner examples
- I went to the chemist for medicine.
Noun
technical
C1
role
4
chemist working in industry
A chemist can work in a company making chemical products.
Usage pattern:
a chemist for/at [company]; a chemist in [industry]
Synonyms
chemical engineer (Related but different; focuses more on industrial processes and equipment than chemical research itself.)
Collocations
company chemist
|production chemist
|process chemist
|formulation chemist
|cosmetic chemist
|polymer chemist
|paint chemist
|lab chemist
|quality-control chemist
|plant chemist
Themes
work
|manufacturing
|science
|business
Examples
- The chemist adjusted the formula to make the shampoo less irritating.
- Factory chemists test each batch to ensure consistent quality.
- She worked as a chemist in the plastics industry for ten years.
Learner examples
- He is a chemist at a factory.
Grammar
Dictionary form
chemist
IPA
GB/kˈɛmɪst/
US/kˈɛmɪst/
Syllables & stress
chem - ist (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (chem)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: chemist
- Plural: chemists
Word family
Forms
chemists
noun
Related words
chemically
adverb
Advanced or less common
biochemistry
noun C1
biochemical
adjective
Expressions
chemist's shop
1/kˈɛmɪsts ʃˈɑp/
fixed phrase
a pharmacy shop
A chemist's shop is a pharmacy.
Examples
- There’s a chemist’s shop at the end of the high street.
- He bought the ointment at a chemist’s shop near his office.
- Ask at the chemist’s shop if they have a generic version.
the chemist's
1/ðə kˈɛmɪsts/
fixed phrase
the pharmacy (UK usage)
In the UK, the chemist's means the pharmacy.
Examples
- I’m just popping to the chemist’s to get some painkillers.
- Your prescription will be ready at the chemist’s after 3 p.m.
- She stopped at the chemist’s to buy hay fever tablets.