What does astrologist mean?
An astrologist is a person who practises astrology — the tradition of interpreting the positions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars in order to draw conclusions about human character or forecast future events. Astrologists typically construct horoscopes or natal charts based on the exact time and place of a birth, then interpret these charts to offer guidance on matters such as relationships, career, and timing of decisions. The word is a variant of the older and more widely used 'astrologer', and while it is fully understood throughout the English-speaking world, many style guides prefer the shorter form. In modern usage, calling someone an astrologist describes their occupation or interest rather than implying any scientific standing; astrology is regarded as a belief system rather than an empirical science, a distinction that separates the astrologist from the astronomer, who studies celestial objects through physics and observation.
nounA person who studies or practises astrology, especially one who prepares horoscopes or interprets the positions of celestial bodies in order to predict events or describe human character.
- A practitioner of astrology who interprets celestial positions to predict events or assess personality.
"The astrologist cast a chart for the moment of the child's birth."
"She consulted an astrologist before choosing a wedding date."
"The newspaper's resident astrologist predicted a year of upheaval for readers born under Scorpio."
Regular plural; stress falls on the second syllable.
"Medieval courts often employed astrologists to advise on auspicious dates for coronations and battles."
For most of history there was no line between astronomer and astrologist — Johannes Kepler earned his living casting horoscopes while revolutionising our understanding of the planets.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of astrologist
The word derives from the Greek roots 'astron', meaning star, and 'logos', meaning word, study, or account, entering English via Latin and medieval French forms connected to 'astrologia'. In antiquity and the Middle Ages, 'astrology' covered what we would now divide into astronomy (the scientific study of celestial bodies) and astrology proper (divination by the stars), and only in the early modern period did the two terms separate. The suffix '-ist', denoting a person who practises or is skilled in something, was added to form 'astrologist', paralleling words like 'geologist'; the competing form 'astrologer', built with the agentive '-er' suffix, remains the more customary choice today.
How astrologist is actually used
'Astrologer' is the established and more frequent term in both British and American English; 'astrologist' is a legitimate but less common variant, often found in journalism or casual speech, and can carry a slightly less formal tone. Neither term implies scientific credibility in modern usage.
Easily confused with astrologist
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial objects using observation and physics, whereas an astrologist interprets celestial positions to make predictions about human affairs.
Astrologer is the older and far more standard term; 'astrologist' means the same thing but is less common and sometimes perceived as informal or nonstandard.