-ist
One who does
A suffix forming nouns that denote a person who practices, studies, or adheres to something: pianist, biologist, socialist.
It often pairs with -ism: someone who believes in capitalism is a capitalist, someone who practices Buddhism is a Buddhist.
The suffix can also form adjectives with the same meaning: racist attitudes, sexist remarks.
Some -ist words carry neutral descriptive force (novelist, chemist), while others imply ideological commitment or bias (fascist, elitist).
Mental disorder physician
- archaeologistOne who excavates antiquities
- geneticistScientist studying heredity
- archivistKeeper of historical documents
Ethics-focused secular philosopher
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- liberalistAdvocate for individual freedoms
Geometric abstraction painter
- abstractionistArtist avoiding realistic depiction
- symbolistUser of representational imagery
- romanticistDevotee of emotion-driven art
- pointillistDot-based painting practitioner
avant-gardist · conceptualist · muralist · ceramicist · portraitist · landscapist · colorist
Bowed-string musician
- bassistDeep-string instrumentalist
- flautistWoodwind instrument performer
- harpistOne who plucks a lyre's large cousin
- organistPipe keyboard performer
clarinetist · percussionist · saxophonist · trombonist · oboist · accordionist · harmonicist · accompanist
Recreational pursuer of interests
- strategistExpert in planning campaigns
- analystOne who examines systematically
- apologistDefender of a cause
- conventionalistFollower of accepted norms
Follower of Gautama's teachings
- TaoistFollower of Chinese philosophy
- MethodistProtestant denomination member
- BaptistImmersion-practicing Protestant
- CalvinistPredestination theology adherent
Adventist · Shintoist · monotheist · polytheist · pantheist · spiritualist · determinist · existentialist
psychiatrist
Mental disorder physician
- archaeologistOne who excavates antiquities
- geneticistScientist studying heredity
- archivistKeeper of historical documents
humanist
Ethics-focused secular philosopher
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- liberalistAdvocate for individual freedoms
cubist
Geometric abstraction painter
- abstractionistArtist avoiding realistic depiction
- symbolistUser of representational imagery
- romanticistDevotee of emotion-driven art
pointillist · avant-gardist · conceptualist · muralist · ceramicist · portraitist · landscapist · colorist
cellist
Bowed-string musician
- bassistDeep-string instrumentalist
- flautistWoodwind instrument performer
- harpistOne who plucks a lyre's large cousin
organist · clarinetist · percussionist · saxophonist · trombonist · oboist · accordionist · harmonicist · accompanist · vocalist
hobbyist
Recreational pursuer of interests
- strategistExpert in planning campaigns
- analystOne who examines systematically
- apologistDefender of a cause
Buddhist
Follower of Gautama's teachings
- TaoistFollower of Chinese philosophy
- MethodistProtestant denomination member
- BaptistImmersion-practicing Protestant
Calvinist · Adventist · Shintoist · monotheist · polytheist · pantheist · spiritualist · determinist · existentialist · rationalist