ophthalmologist

noun

oph·​thal·​mol·​o·​gist ˌäf-thə(l)-ˈmä-lə-jist 

ˌäp-,

-ˌthal- 

: a physician who specializes in ophthalmology compare optician, optometrist

Examples of ophthalmologist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Score it in black or brown, the latter of which ophthalmologists and makeup artists suggest for more mature eyes. —Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025

The layoff prompted him to finally, after years of ignoring his wife’s pleas to get a complete eye exam, make an appointment with an ophthalmologist. —Liz Szabo, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025

Her eyes were noticeably red, and my ophthalmologist had suggested an over-the-counter product for me that works beautifully and is safe to use. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025

If so, optometrists and ophthalmologists could help flag individuals at risk decades before cognitive symptoms appear. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

ophthalmology + -ist entry 1

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ophthalmologist

• anthropologist
• archaeologist
• audiologist
• cardiologist
• criminologist
• dermatologist
• entomologist
• genealogist
• gerontologist
• gynaecologist
• gynecologist
• musicologist

Kids Definition

ophthalmologist

noun

oph·​thal·​mol·​o·​gist ˌäf-thə(l)-ˈmäl-ə-jəst 

ˌäp-,

-ˌthal-

: a physician specializing in ophthalmology compare optician sense 2, optometrist

Medical Definition

ophthalmologist

noun

oph·​thal·​mol·​o·​gist ˌäf-thə(l)-ˈmäl-ə-jəst  ˌäp- 

-ˌthal-

: a physician who specializes in ophthalmology compare optician sense 2, optometrist