What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ethologist
Example
The ethologist spent months observing the chimpanzees in the wild. [ethologist: noun]
Example
Ethologists study how animals communicate with each other. [ethologists: plural noun]
zoologist
Example
The zoologist discovered a new species of bird in the Amazon rainforest. [zoologist: noun]
Example
Zoologists work in zoos and aquariums to care for animals and educate the public. [zoologists: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Zoologist is more commonly used than ethologist in everyday language. Zoology is a broader field that encompasses various subfields, including ethology. However, both terms are relatively uncommon and may not be familiar to beginner ESL learners.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ethologist and zoologist?
Both ethologist and zoologist are formal terms that are typically used in academic or scientific contexts. They may not be appropriate for casual or informal conversations.
