Meaning 1formal · 89%
A researcher who studies the characteristics, relationships, and practices of different cultural or ethnic groups.
Natural examples
An ethnologist explained the origins of the weaving custom.
Several ethnologists contributed to the film.
As an ethnologist, he compared marriage customs across communities.
Usage note
An ethnologist focuses on cultural groups and comparison; an ethnographer particularly produces detailed descriptions through fieldwork.
Useful combinations
research ethnologist — a researcher whose speciality is ethnology