What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
philologist
Example
The philologist spent years studying the ancient texts to understand the language and culture of the time. [philologist: noun]
Example
She is a renowned philologist who has published several books on the history of language. [philologist: adjective]
lexicographer
Example
The lexicographer spent years researching and compiling the dictionary. [lexicographer: noun]
Example
She is a respected lexicographer who has contributed to several dictionaries. [lexicographer: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lexicographer is more commonly used than philologist in everyday language. Lexicographer is a more practical and applied field, and its output, such as dictionaries, is widely used. Philologist, on the other hand, is a more theoretical and academic field, and its output is less commonly used outside of academia.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between philologist and lexicographer?
Philologist is typically associated with a more formal and academic tone, while lexicographer is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
