druggist

IPA/ˈdrʌɡɪst/
KK[drˈʌɡɪst]IPA/ˈdrʌɡɪst/

druggist — noun

  • druggistsingular
  • druggistsplural

1. a professional who is trained to prepare medicines that a doctor has ordered and

1.nounB1
Definition

a professional who is trained to prepare medicines that a doctor has ordered and to offer health advice to customers at a pharmacy

Example

Chidi asked the druggist to recommend a good cream for his dry, itchy skin.

ask + [person] + to-infinitive — pattern for requesting a recommendation

The druggist explained that Sirin should take the medicine twice a day with food.

explain + that-clause — pattern for giving instructions

Common collocations
  • ask the druggist for
  • the druggist recommended
  • the local druggist
  • consult a druggist
  • the neighbourhood druggist
Synonyms
  • pharmacist

    the more common and modern term in both American and British English

  • chemist

    British English equivalent; used in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand

  • apothecary

    historical term; now rare but still used for traditional or literary contexts

Common Mistakes

The druggist prescribed me some medicine for my fever.
The druggist gave me advice about medicine for my fever, and the doctor prescribed it.
A druggist dispenses medicines but does not prescribe them; only a doctor or other licensed prescriber can do that.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words refer to professionals who prepare and sell medicines, but they differ in regional use and tone. 'Pharmacist' (B1) is the standard, neutral term used worldwide — it is the best choice in formal writing and everyday conversation. 'Chemist' (B1, British) is the everyday term in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, though in American English it refers to a scientist rather than a medicine seller. 'Druggist' (B1, American) is the older American term, now less common than 'pharmacist' and sometimes felt to be old-fashioned. 'Apothecary' (C1) is a historical term from the 16th–19th centuries; today it is mostly used in historical fiction, brand names, or for decorative purposes. For example: 'I'll pick up the medicine at the pharmacy.' (neutral), 'Pop into the chemist on your way home.' (UK casual).

pharmacist ↗chemist ↗apothecary

Common collocations

Nouns

  • druggist's shop
  • druggist's license

Phrases

  • ask the druggist
  • the local druggist
  • consult a druggist

Prepositions

  • at the druggist's
  • from the druggist

Etymology

Middle DutchOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'druggist' was formed in English around the early 1700s by adding the agent suffix '-ist' (meaning 'a person who does or works with something') to 'drug'. The word 'drug' came into English from Old French 'drogue' (a medicinal substance), which may trace further back to Middle Dutch 'droge' meaning 'dry' — a reference to dried herbs that were used as medicine. Before 'druggist' appeared, the same profession was called an 'apothecary'.