Definition

1. Noun:
   • A scientist specializing in chemistry: A person who studies the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter.
   • (British English) A pharmacist; a person who prepares and dispenses medicinal drugs: A health professional who dispenses prescription medications and offers advice on health products in a retail shop (a pharmacy).

Examples of Usage

• As a scientist:
  • Marie Curie was a brilliant chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity.
  • The company hired a chemist to develop new materials for the project.
• As a pharmacist (UK usage):
  • I need to pick up my prescription from the chemist.
  • The chemist advised me on which cough syrup would be most effective.

Advanced Usage

• "Chemist's": Refers to the shop or store where a pharmacist works and medicines are sold. This is a possessive form indicating the place.
  • I'm going to the chemist's to buy some bandages.
• In formal or academic contexts, "chemist" unambiguously refers to the scientist. The retail meaning is primarily a British English usage.

Variants and Related Words

• Chemistry (n): The scientific study of the structure and properties of substances and how they react with each other.
  • She decided to study chemistry at university.
• Chemical (adj/n): (Adj) Relating to chemistry or chemicals. (N) A distinct compound or substance.
  • The chemical reaction produced a lot of heat. / Handle these chemicals with care.
• Pharmacist (n): The more common term in American English for a health professional who dispenses drugs. Synonymous with the British "chemist" in the retail context.
  • In the US, you take a prescription to a pharmacist at a drugstore.

Synonyms

• For the scientist: Chemical scientist, researcher (in chemistry).
• For the dispenser (UK): Pharmacist, apothecary (archaic), druggist.

Related Phrases

• "Chemist shop": Another term for a pharmacy, common in British English.
  • The new chemist shop on the high street is very well-stocked.

Related Idioms

• "A chemist's shop": Used informally to describe a place with a complex mixture of many things, often in a messy state. (Note: This idiom uses the compound "chemist's shop").
  • After the experiment, the lab looked like a chemist's shop.

Noun

1. a health professional trained in the art of preparing and dispensing drugs
2. a scientist who specializes in chemistry