The suffix ‘ist’ is used to form nouns that refer to a person who practices or is concerned with something, or holds certain principles, doctrines, or beliefs. It often denotes a profession, occupation, or a follower of a particular ideology or movement.
For example, in the word ‘artist,’ the suffix ‘ist’ is added to ‘art’ to refer to someone who creates art. Similarly, in ‘scientist,’ it refers to someone who is engaged in scientific study or research. The suffix can also be found in words like ‘pianist’ (a person who plays the piano) and ‘environmentalist’ (a person who is concerned with the protection of the environment).
In summary, the suffix ‘ist’ is a versatile and commonly used suffix in the English language to denote a person associated with a particular field, activity, or belief.