dermatologist

IPA/ˌdɜːməˈtɒlədʒɪst/
KK[dˌɚmətˈɑlədʒɪst]IPA/ˌdɜːrməˈtɑːlədʒɪst/

dermatologist — noun

  • dermatologistsingular
  • dermatologistsplural

1. a medical doctor whose work is to examine and treat health problems that affect

1.nounB2
Definition

a medical doctor whose work is to examine and treat health problems that affect a person's skin.

Example

Marta saw a dermatologist because the rash on her arm would not go away.

The dermatologist examined a small growth on Vikram's shoulder and told him it was harmless.

object + examined by dermatologist

Common collocations
  • see a dermatologist
  • visit a dermatologist
  • consult a dermatologist
  • be referred to a dermatologist
  • dermatologist + prescribes / recommends / treats / diagnoses / removes
  • make an appointment with a dermatologist
Synonyms
  • skin doctor

    everyday, informal term; not used in professional medical contexts

  • skin specialist

    common in general use; slightly less formal than 'dermatologist'

Grammar Patterns

a + dermatologist

dermatologist + verb (treats / examines / prescribes)

Usage Note

Countable. The shortened form 'derm' is used informally in American English (e.g., 'I have an appointment with my derm tomorrow').

Common Mistakes

I went to see dermatologist for my rash.
I went to see a dermatologist for my rash.
'dermatologist' is a countable noun and needs a determiner (a / the / my).
My dermatologist doctor gave me some cream.
My dermatologist gave me some cream.
'dermatologist' already means 'doctor', so adding 'doctor' is redundant.

Word family

  • dermatology
    nounB2
  • dermatological
    adjectiveC1
  • derm
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Dermatologist' is the formal medical title for a doctor trained to diagnose and treat skin conditions — use it in clinical, academic, and insurance contexts. 'Skin doctor' is an everyday, informal term that patients and non-specialists use in casual conversation, but it is never used in official medical documents or referrals. 'Skin specialist' sits between the two: it sounds professional but is less specific, because a 'skin specialist' could be a dermatologist, a cosmetic surgeon, or even an aesthetician. For example: 'My dermatologist removed a suspicious mole this morning' (clinical, precise) vs. 'I saw a skin doctor about that itchy patch' (informal, at home) vs. 'She runs a clinic and is known as a skin specialist' (vague, marketing-style language).

dermatologist ↗skin doctorskin specialist

Common collocations

Nouns

  • dermatologist's appointment
  • dermatologist's office
  • dermatology clinic

Phrases

  • make an appointment with a dermatologist
  • get a referral to a dermatologist
  • see a dermatologist regularly

Prepositions

  • with a dermatologist
  • to a dermatologist
  • at the dermatologist('s)

Etymology

GreekFrenchEnglish

Comes from Greek 'derma' (skin) + 'logos' (study, word) + the suffix '-ist' (a person who does something). The French used 'dermatologiste' first in the 1700s, and English adopted it as 'dermatologist' in the 1800s when skin medicine became a recognised speciality.