receptionist

[ ri-sep-shuh-nist ]

noun

1. a person employed to receive and assist callers, clients, etc., as in an office.
2. Theology. a person who advocates receptionism.

receptionist

/ rɪˈsɛpʃənɪst /

noun

1. a person employed in an office, hotel, doctor's surgery, etc, to receive clients, guests, or patients, answer the telephone, arrange appointments, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of receptionist¹

First recorded in 1865–70; reception + -ist

Example Sentences

The daughter of a police officer and a hospital receptionist, the actress was born and brought up in Chessington, Greater London.

From BBC

My wife teaches middle school math and she says that Donald Trump could not get a job at her school as a teacher, as a substitute, as a receptionist — he could never get a job at her school as a hall monitor, he could not get a job at her school serving food in the cafeteria line.

From Salon

A caller appearing to be the chief receptionist, said they had a guest who had taken "too many drugs and alcohol", and was "trashing the entire room", before the line cut out.

From BBC

Best known for her role as receptionist Pam Beesly in the US version of The Office, Jenna said she was "now cancer-free" after surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

From BBC

“Hi there,” said a receptionist at a clinically simple desk.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agent
• auditor
• bookkeeper
• cashier
• employee
• operator
• salesperson
• secretary
• teller
• worker