Meaning of -ist in English:

suffix

• 1Forming personal nouns and related adjectives denoting an adherent of a system of beliefs, principles, etc. expressed by nouns ending in -ism.

  ‘hedonist’

  See -ism (sense 2)

  ‘Calvinist’

  1. 1.1Forming nouns (and related adjectives) denoting a person who subscribes to a prejudice or practises discrimination.
     ‘sexist’

• 2Forming nouns denoting a member of a profession or business activity.

  More example sentences

  • ‘dentist’
  • ‘dramatist’
  • ‘florist’

  1. 2.1Forming nouns denoting a person who uses a thing.
     ‘flautist’
     ‘motorist’
  2. 2.2Forming nouns denoting a person who does something expressed by a verb ending in -ize.
     ‘plagiarist’