Científico

Científico is the Spanish term that functions as both a noun and an adjective. As a noun, it designates a person who conducts research and applies scientific methods to gain knowledge in fields such as the natural sciences, engineering, medicine, or the social sciences. As an adjective, it describes anything related to science or the application of systematic methods to understand phenomena.

Gender and number: the masculine form is científico and the feminine form is científica. Plural forms are científicos for males or mixed groups and científicas for females. The word is widely used across Spanish-speaking countries in academic, professional, and everyday language.

Etymology and meaning: the term derives from the word ciencia, science, which comes from Latin scientia, meaning knowledge. The suffix -ífico forms adjectives that indicate belonging or relation, linking the sense of science to the person or thing described.

Usage and nuance: in Spanish, científico commonly refers to a person who works in research or a field grounded in empirical methods. It also functions as an umbrella descriptor for concepts, practices, and institutions related to science. In formal contexts, precise synonyms such as investigador or científico can be used depending on emphasis and region.

See also: ciencia, científico urbano, investigador, conocimiento.