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optometrist

optometrist

13 5.1
A person who checks eyes and prescribes glasses or contact lenses
  • noun
  • /ɑpˈtɒmətrɪst/
translation icon : optometrista
  • I scheduled an appointment with the optometrist to get my eyes checked for any vision problems.
  • optometrists and ophthalmologists
  • optometrist's office

So I went to walk to the optometrist to go get some contacts.

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Examples

Synonyms

oculist
vsoptometrist
  • Archaic
1 8.6

A doctor who checks and treats eyes

focuses on detecting vision defects and prescribing corrective lenses

How Qualified

ophthalmologist
  • Specialized
12 7.8
optometrist
13 5.1
optician
4 4.1
shop assistant
  • UK
1 1.2

Surface Forms

optometrist singular
optometrists plural

Morphology

optometrist = optometry (transparent) = optometry + ist

Formed from the noun 'optometry' + the agentive suffix '-ist', meaning 'a person who practices optometry', which is a regular and clear derivation.

Etymology

Optometrist comes from opt- meaning 'to see', the measuring part meter meaning 'measure', and the ending -ist meaning 'person'. So an optometrist is 'a person who measures sight', which is why they check your eyes and prescribe glasses.