List of words with the suffix -ology

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The suffix ology is commonly used in the English language to denote a field of study. The ology ending is a combination of the letter o plus logy in which the letter o is used as an interconsonantal letter which, for phonological reasons, precedes the morpheme suffix logy.[1] Logy is a suffix in the English language, used with words originally adapted from Ancient Greek ending in -λογία (-logia).[2]

English names for fields of study are usually created by taking a root (the subject of the study) and appending the suffix logy to it with the interconsonantal o placed in between (with an exception explained below). For example, the word dermatology comes from the root dermato plus logy.[3] Sometimes, an excrescence, the addition of a consonant, must be added to avoid poor construction of words.

There are additional uses for the suffix such as to describe a subject rather than the study of it (e.g. technology). The suffix is often humorously appended to other English words to create nonce words. For example, stupidology would refer to the study of stupidity; beerology would refer to the study of beer.[1]

Not all scientific studies are suffixed with ology. When the root word ends with the letter "L" or a vowel, exceptions occur. For example, the study of mammals would take the root word mammal and append ology to it resulting in mammalology but because of its final letter being an "L", it instead creates mammalogy. There are exceptions for this exception too. For example, the word angelology with the root word angel, ends in an "L" but is not spelt angelogy as according to the "L" rule.[4][5]

The terminal -logy is used to denote a discipline. These terms often utilize the suffix -logist or -ologist to describe one who studies the topic. In this case, the suffix ology would be replaced with ologist. For example, one who studies biology is called a biologist.

This list of words contains all words that end in ology. It includes words that denote a field of study and those that do not, as well as common misspelled words which do not end in ology but are often written as such.

A[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
abiology The study of inanimate, inorganic, or lifeless things.
abiophysiology The study of inorganic processes in biological systems.
acanthochronology The study of cactus spines or euphorbia thorns grown in time ordered sequence.
acanthology The study of spined things, in particular sea urchins, and the resultant impact on taxonomy.
acarology The study of mites and ticks.
accentology The systematic analysis of word or phrase stress and accentuation in language.
aceology The science of remedies or therapeutics.
  • iamatology
acology The science of medical remedies, Materia Medica.
acridology The study of grasshoppers and locusts (infraorder Acrididea).
acropathology The study of diseases affecting limbs.
actinobiology The study of the effects of radiation upon living organisms.
actinology The study of the effect of light on chemicals.
acyrology The incorrect use of language.
  • cacology
adenology The branch of medicine dealing with the development, structure, function, and diseases of glands.
aedoeology The study of human genitalia.
aerobiology A branch of biology that studies organic particles, such as bacteria, fungal spores, very small insects, pollen grains and viruses, which are passively transported by the air.
aerolithology The study of meteorites.
aerogeology The study of geological features by aerial observation and aerophotography.
aerology
  1. The branch of meteorology involving the observation of the atmosphere by means of balloons, airplanes, etc.
  2. The study of the air and of the atmosphere; used in the US Navy until early 1957.
  • meteorology
aeropalynology The study of pollen grains and spores (palynomorphs) in the atmosphere.
aetiology
  1. The establishment of a cause, origin, or reason for something.
  2. The study of causes or causation.
  3. The study or investigation of the causes of disease; a scientific explanation for the origin of a disease.

3.

  • etiology
  • ætiology
agathology The science or theory of the good or goodness.
agmatology The branch of medical science that studies fractures.
agnoiology The study of things of which humans are by nature ignorant, or of things which cannot be known.
  • agniology
  • agnoeology
agnotology The study of culturally induced ignorance or doubt, particularly the publication of inaccurate or misleading scientific data.
  • agnatology
agriology The comparative study of primitive, illiterate or "savage" cultures.
agrobiology The science of plant nutrition and growth in relation to soil conditions, especially to determine ways to increase crop yields.
agroclimatology The study of meteorological, climatological, and hydrological conditions which are significant for agriculture owing to their interaction with the objects and process of agriculture production.
agroecology The study of ecological processes that operate in agricultural production systems.
agrogeology The study of the origins of minerals known as agrominerals and their applications.
agrology
  1. The science and art of agriculture.
  2. A sub-discipline of soil science which addresses optimizing crop production (common usage, not acceptable to soil scientists)
  3. A sub-discipline of agronomy which addresses the influence of edaphic conditions on crop production.
agrometeorology The study of weather and use of weather and climate information to enhance or expand agricultural crops and/or to increase crop production.
agrostology The scientific study of the grasses (family Poaceae).
  • graminology
agrotechnology The application of modern technology to agriculture.
aitiology
  1. The study of causation, or origination.
  2. The causes of diseases or pathologies. (medicine)
  • etiology
  • aetiology
  • ætiology
Albanology

Interdisciplinary branch of the humanities that addresses the language, costume, literature, art, culture and history of Albanians.

alethiology The study of the nature of truth or aletheia.
  • alethology
algology
  1. The medical treatment of pain as practiced in Greece and Turkey.
  2. The branch of botany dealing with algae.

2. phycology

alimentology The study of nutrition.
allergology The study of the causes and treatment of allergies.
alphabetology The study of alphabetic systems of writing.
amphibiology The branch of zoology that deals with the class Amphibia.
amphibology A situation where a sentence may be interpreted in more than one way due to ambiguous sentence structure.
  • amphiboly
anaplastology The branch of medicine dealing with the prosthetic rehabilitation of an absent, disfigured or malformed anatomically critical location of the face or body.
anarcheology[a] The study of how people throughout history have progressed and thrived with limited government (minarchy) or with no government at all.
anatripsology The study of friction as a remedy in medicine.
andrology The medical specialty that deals with male health, particularly relating to the problems of the male reproductive system and urological problems that are unique to men.
anemology The study of wind.
anesthesiology The branch of medical science that studies and applies anesthetics and anesthesia.
angelology The study of angels.
angiology The study of the anatomy of blood and lymph vascular systems.
angiopathology The pathology of diseased blood vessels.
antapology The reply to an apology.
anthoecology The branch of ecology that studies the relationship of flowers to their environment.
anthology A published collection of poems or other pieces of writing.
anthropobiology The study of the biologic relationships of humans as a species.
  • bioanthropology
anthropology The holistic scientific and social study of humanity, mainly using ethnography as its method.
anthropomorphology The attribution of human characteristics to God.
anthroposociology The anthropological and sociological study of race as a means of establishing the superiority of certain peoples.
anthrozoology The study of the interactions between humans and animals.
antitechnology A philosophy opposing technology.
aphasiology The study of linguistic problems or aphasias resulting from brain damage.
aphnology The study of wealth.
  • plutology
apicology The study of honey bee ecology.
apiology The scientific study of honey bees and honey-making.
  • apidology
apology An acknowledgement for a failure or mistake.
arachnology The scientific study of spiders and related animals such as scorpions, pseudoscorpions, and harvestmen, collectively called arachnids.
araneology The branch of arachnology that deals with spiders.
archeogeology[a] The branch of geology that studies the geological formations of the past.
archeology[a] The study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture.
archeozoology[a] The study of faunal remains or the items left behind when an animal dies.
  • zooarcheology[a]
archology The study of the science of governance or the origin of things.
arcology A field of creating architectural design principles for very densely populated, ecologically low-impact human habitats.
areology The study of the planet Mars' geology.
aretology
  1. The part of moral philosophy which treats of virtue, its nature, and the means of attaining to it.
  2. A narrative about a divine figure's miraculous deeds.
aristology The art or study of cooking and dining.
arkeology The study of the story of Noah's Ark, particularly the search for physical evidence which would corroborate it.
Armenology The study of Armenian history, language, and culture.
arteriology The branch of angiology dealing with arteries.
arthrology The branch of anatomy dealing with joints.
  • synosteology
arthropathology The study of functional and structural changes made by diseases of the joints.
arthropodology The study of arthropods.
Assyriology The study of the Assyrians.
astacology The study of crayfish.
asteroseismology The study of oscillations in stars.
astheniology The study of diseases of weakening and aging.
asthmology The study of asthma.
astroarchaeology[a] The study of astronomical knowledge of prehistoric cultures.
  • archaeoastronomy
astrobiology The study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe: extraterrestrial life and life on Earth.
  • exobiology
astrogeology The science dealing with the structure and composition of planets and other bodies in the Solar System.
  • exogeology
astrolithology The study of aerolites.
astrology The study of the movements and relative positions of celestial objects as a means for divining information about human affairs and terrestrial events.
astrometeorology The study of the theoretical effects of astronomical bodies and forces on the Earth's atmosphere.
astroseismology The study of oscillations in stars.
  • asteroseismology
atheology The resistance or opposition to theology.
atmology The branch of science dealing with the laws and phenomena of aqueous vapour.
atmospherology The study of a planetary atmosphere.
atomology The study or doctrine of atoms.
audiology The study of the auditory and vestibular systems, and associated disorders.
autecology One of two broad subdivisions of ecology, which studies the individual organism or species.
autology The study of oneself.
autonumerology The study of unusual license plates.
auxanology The study of growth.
  • auxology
auxology The study of growth.
  • auxanology
axiology The philosophical study of value.
azoology The study of inanimate nature.

B[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
bacteriology The scientific study of bacteria, especially in relation to disease and agriculture.
balneology The study of the treatment of disease by bathing, usually practiced at spas.
barology The study of gravity and weight and their relation.
Bascology The study of Basque language and culture.
batology The study of plants in the genus Rubus, commonly known as brambles.
batrachology The study of amphibians.
battology Continual unnecessary reiteration of the same words, phrases, or ideas.
berestology The study of birchbark manuscripts.
bibliology The study of books as physical, cultural objects.
biocenology The branch of biology dealing with the study of biological communities and the interactions among their members.
  • biocoenology
bioclimatology The interdisciplinary field of science that studies the interactions between the biosphere and the Earth's atmosphere on time scales of the order of seasons or longer (in opposition to biometeorology).
bioecology The study of the relationship of organisms to each other and to their environment.
biogerontology The sub-field of gerontology concerned with the biological aging process, its evolutionary origins, and potential means to intervene in the process.
biology The study of life and living organisms and their morphology, anatomy, and physiology.
biometeorology The study of the relationship between atmospheric conditions (the weather) and living organisms.
biopsychology The application of the principles of biology to the study of physiological, genetic, and developmental mechanisms of behavior in humans and other animals.
  • psychobiology
  • biological psychology
  • behavioral neuroscience
biospeleology The branch of biology dedicated to the study of organisms that live in caves and are collectively referred to as troglofauna.
  • cave biology
biotechnology The use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products.
bolloxology (Irish slang) Nonsense, derived from the word bollocks.
boxology A representation of an organized structure as a graph of labelled nodes ("boxes") and connections between them (as lines or arrows).
brachyology
  1. The colloquial omission of words from a phrase; e.g. "morning" instead of "good morning".
  2. Concise speech or laconism.

1. brachylogy

bracketology The practice of predicting and analyzing sports tournament brackets.
brewology The science or study of brewing, especially of brewing beer.
bromatology The study of food.
brontology The study of thunder.
bryology The branch of botany concerned with the scientific study of bryophytes.
bumpology Archaic and derogatory term for phrenology.
buttonology
  1. The study of buttons.
  2. In computing, the basic training required to start using a piece of software: what the components of the interface are, what they do, how to accomplish basic tasks.
Byzantinology The interdisciplinary branch of the humanities that addresses the history, culture, costumes, religion, art, such as literature and music, science, economy, and politics of the Byzantine Empire.
  • Byzantine studies
  • Byzantology

C[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
cacology Poor diction or word choice.
caliology The study of birds nests.
  • nidology
campanology The study of bells: their casting, tuning, and ringing.
cancerology The study of cancer.
capology Expertise in the mechanics of salary caps, the rules regulating the total amount of player compensation.
carabidology The study of ground beetles (family Carabidae).
carcinology The study of crustaceans.
  • malacostracology
  • crustalogy
  • crustaceology
cardiology The study of the heart.
caricology The study of carex or sedges.
cariology The study of dental caries and cariogenesis.
carphology A lint-picking behavior that is often a symptom of a delirious state.
carpology The study of the structure of seeds and fruit.
cartology The creation of charts and maps based on the layout of a territory's geography.
catachronobiology The study of the deleterious effects of time on a living system.
cecidology The study of plant galls, also known as cecidia, which are growths on plants produced by insects, mites, or fungi.
  • cecidiology
cephalology The science of the head.
cereology The study of, or practice of creating crop circles.
cerebrology The science that deals with the cerebrum or brain.
cetology The branch of zoology concerned with the order Cetacea, which includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
chalcidology The study of chalcid wasps.
chaology The study of chaos and chaotic systems.
  • chaos theory
characterology The study of character reading that attempts to combine revised physiognomy, reconstructed phrenology and amplified pathognomy, with ethnology, sociology and anthropology.
cheesology The study of cheese.
  • fromology
cheloniology The study of turtles or tortoises (order Chelonia).
  • chelonology
  • testudinology
chemoimmunology The branch of chemistry that studies the chemical processes in immunology.
chessology
  1. The study of chess.
  2. The study of cheese.
  • 2. fromology
chirology
  1. The study of the hand.
  2. Palm reading.
chondrology The study of cartilage.
choreology The study of the aesthetic and science of forms of human movement by special notation.
  • Benesh Movement Notation
chorology
  1. The study of the causal relations between geographical phenomena occurring within a particular region
  2. The study of the spatial distribution of organisms.
chresmology The study of prophecies.
  • chrismology
Christology The field of study within Christian theology which is primarily concerned with the nature and person of Jesus as recorded in the canonical Gospels and the epistles of the New Testament.
chromatology The study of colour.
chronobiology A field of biology that examines periodic (cyclic) phenomena in living organisms and their adaptation to solar- and lunar-related rhythms.
chronology
  1. The study of things in order of time or the study of time.
  2. The arrangement of events or dates in the order of their occurrence.
chronooncology
  1. The study of the influence of biological rhythms on neoplastic growths.
  2. The study of the timing of drug administration for anti-cancer treatments.
chronopharmacology The study of the effects of biological rhythms on pharmacotherapy and drug administration.
chrysology The study of the production of wealth.
ciliatology The study of ciliates
cinematology The art and science of making movies; cinematography.
cirripedology The study of barnacles.
climatology The science that deals with climates, and investigates their phenomena and causes.
clinology The study of retrogression and decline in form and function in an animal or organism.
clonology The science or study of cloning and clones.
clownology The study of being a clown.
coalitionology Speculation in the run-up to a general election about possible coalition governments that might ensue. Used in Britain and Ireland.
coccidology The study of scale insects, mealybugs, and organisms within the superfamily Coccoidea.
codicology The study of books as physical objects, especially manuscripts written on parchment (or paper) in codex form.
codology (Irish) Hoaxing, humbugging, bluffing, leg-pulling.
  • kidology
cognitology The multidisciplinary study of mind and behavior.
  • cognitive science
cohomology The theory of a sequence of abelian groups associated to a topological space, often defined from a cochain complex.
coleopterology The scientific study of beetles (order Coleoptera).
collapsology A neologism used to designate the transdisciplinary study of the risks of collapse of industrial civilization.
coloproctology Branch of medicine dealing with pathology of the colon, rectum, and anus and colorectal surgery.
cometology The branch of astronomy that deals with comets.
comitology In the European Union, the system of committees, composed of representatives of the member states, used to oversee European Commission implementing acts made under European Union legislation.
complementology The branch of immunology that deals with complement (one of four proteolytic cascades in blood).
computerology The study of computers, or any kind of work with computers.
conchology
  1. The study of molluscs and their shells.
  2. The hobby of shell collecting.
coniology The study of atmospheric dust and its effects on organisms.
connectology The configuration according to which devices, tubes, etc. are connected. Used in medicine.
conscientology The study of consciousness.
  • conscientiology
conspiratology The study of conspiracies.
contrology The methods of the physical fitness system called Pilates.
coprology The study of feces.
  • scatology
cosmecology The science that considers the earth in its relation to cosmic phenomena.
cosmetology The science or study of cosmetics or being a beautician.
cosmochronology The science of determining timescales for astrophysical objects and events.
cosmology The study of the origin, evolution, and eventual fate of the universe.
craniology A pseudomedicine primarily focused on measurements of the human skull, based on the concept that the brain is the organ of the mind and the mental state can be determined by physical external characteristics.
  • phrenology
crapology Nonsense, rubbish. Derived from the word crap.
crenology The utilization of mineral springs for therapeutic purposes.
  • craunology
criminology The scientific study of the nature, extent, management, causes, control, consequences, and prevention of criminal behavior, both on the individual and social levels.
criteriology
  1. The part of logic dealing with the establishment of criteria.
  2. The study of how judgments can be made solely based on specific criteria.
crustaceology The branch of zoology dealing with crustaceans.
  • carcinology
  • malacostracology
  • crustalogy
cryobiology The study of biological material or systems at temperatures below normal.
cryology The study of very low temperatures and related phenomena.
cryopedology The study of frozen grounds and intensive frost action.
cryoseismology The study of cryoseism, also known as an ice quake or a frost quake.
cryptology The study and practice of analyzing encoded messages, in order to decode them.
  • cryptography
cryptozoology A pseudoscience involving the search for creatures whose existence has not been proven due to lack of evidence.
crystallology The study of the crystalline structure of inorganic bodies.
ctetology The branch of biology that studies the origin and development of acquired characteristics.
curiology The study of picture writing, especially crude hieroglyphics.
  • kuriology
cyclonology The study of cyclones.
cyesiology The study of gestation and pregnancy.
cynology The study of dogs.
cystology The study of cysts.
cytology The study of cells.
cytomorphology The study of the structure of cells.
cytopathology A branch of pathology that studies and diagnoses diseases on the cellular level.
cytophysiology The physiology of cells.
cytotechnology The study of cells to detect cancer and other abnormalities.

D[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
Dacology The study of ancient Dacia and its culture and antiquities.
dactyliology
  1. The study of finger rings.
  2. The study of gem engraving.
dactylology The representation of the letters of a writing system and sometimes numeral systems using only the hands, especially by the deaf; fingerspelling.
dantology The study of Dante Alighieri and his works.
defectology A branch of science that is concerned with the study of the principles and characteristics of the development of children with physical and mental defects and the problems of their training and upbringing. Also describes the training of teachers of handicapped children. (Used in former Soviet Union.)
dekalogy A series of ten related works.
deltiology The study and collection of postcards.
demology The study of human populations, activities, social conditions, and behaviour.
demonology The study of demons, especially the incantations required to summon and control them.
  • daemonology
dendroarcheology[a] In archeology, the science that uses dendrochronology to date wooden material from archeological sites.
dendrochronology The science that uses the spacing between the annual growth rings of trees to date their exact year of formation.
dendroclimatology The science that uses dendrochronology to reconstruct historical climate conditions.
dendroecology The science that uses dendrochronology to analyze historic ecological processes.
dendrogeomorphology The science that uses dendrochronology to study changes to the Earth's surface over time.
dendrohydrology The science that uses dendrochronology to investigate and reconstruct hydrologic processes, such as river flow and past lake levels.
dendrology The study of trees.
dendropyrochronology The use of tree rings to study and reconstruct the history of wild fires.
deontology The study of the nature of duty and obligation.
dermatology The study of skin.
dermatoneurology The study of nerves of the skin.
dermatopathology A subspecialty of dermatology and pathology and to a lesser extent of surgical pathology that focuses on the study of cutaneous (skin) diseases at a microscopic and molecular level.
dermatovenerology The study of skin disease and sexually transmitted disease and how symptoms of STD's appear on the skin.
dermonosology The science of nomenclature and classification of skin diseases.
desmidiology The study of single-celled algae.
desmology The study of ligaments.
diabetology The study of Diabetes mellitus.
diabology The study of the devil and beliefs of the devil in religion.
dicaeology An excuse or justification.
dialectology The scientific study of linguistic dialect, a sub-field of sociolinguistics.
dinosaurology The branch of paleontology that focuses on studying dinosaurs.
diplomatology
  1. The analysis of original texts or documents.
  2. The study of diplomats.
  3. The study of diplomatics.
dipterology The study of flies (order Diptera).
dittology A double reading or twofold interpretation of a text.
docimology The study or act of scientific testing or assaying metals and ores.
dogmatology The study of religious dogma.
dosiology The study of dosages of drugs.
dosology The study of dosages of drugs.
  • dosiology
  • posology
doxology A short hymn of praises to God in various forms of Christian worship, often added to the end of canticles, psalms, and hymns.
dracology The study of the mythology surrounding dragons.
draconology The study of dragons.
  • dragonology
dragonology The study of dragons.
  • draconology
dramatology The practice of viewing all symptoms as valid communications, including words, posture, tone of voice, and movements of the face and limbs; introduced by Henry Zvi Lothane.
Dravidology The study of the Dravidian languages, literature and culture.
dronology A genre of music which heavily utilizes drones. Also used to describe the use of drones in music.
duology A pair of related novels, plays, or movies.
dysmorphology The study of abnormalities of physiological development.
  • teratology
dysteleology The philosophical view that existence has no telos or final cause from purposeful design.

E[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
ecclesiology The theological study of the Christian Church.
eccrinology The study of the secretion of the eccrine glands.
echinology The study of echinoderms.
ecohydrology The study of the interactions between water and ecosystems.
ecology The scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environment.
ecophysiology The study of the adaptation of an organism's physiology to environmental conditions.
  • environmental physiology
  • physiological ecology
ecopsychology The study of the relationship between human beings and the natural world through ecological and psychological principles.
ecotoxicology The study of the effects of toxic chemicals on biological organisms, especially at the population, community, ecosystem level.
edaphology A soil science concerned with the influence of soils on living things, particularly plants.
editology
  1. An epistemological system that seeks to "define the knowledge as a set of texts, discourses (and thus terms), and to assign the scientificity of those texts to the very conditions of their publishing, the manner they are accepted by the international scientific community" developed by Jean C. Baudet.
  2. The study of editing.
eidology The study of mental imagery.
Egyptology The study of ancient Egyptian history, language, literature, religion, architecture and art from the 5th millennium BC until the end of its native religious practices in the 4th century AD.
electrobiology The study of the production and use of electricity by biological organisms.
electrology
  1. The practice and study of electrical epilation to permanently remove human hair.
  2. The branch of physical science that deals with electricity and its properties.
electrophysiology The study of the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues.
electrotechnology The technological and industrial applications of electricity.
emblematology The study of emblems.
embryology The branch of biology that studies the development of gametes (sex cells), fertilization, and development of embryos and fetuses.
emetology The study of the causes of emesis (vomiting).
emmenology The study of menstruation.
emotionology
  1. The way a group of people think and speak about their emotions.
  2. The multidisciplinary study of emotions.
encephalology The study of the brain and its function, structure and anatomy, and diseases.
endemiology The study of endemic diseases.
endocrinology A branch of biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions known as hormones.
engysseismology The branch of seismology that deals with earthquake shocks registered in or near the region of disturbance.
enigmatology The study of puzzles.
  • metagrobology
enology The study of wines.
  • oenology
enteradenology The study of the gastrointestinal tract and glands.
enterology The study of the intestinal tract.
entomechology The study and design of mechanical insects.
entomology The scientific study of insects, a branch of zoology.
entozoology The study of entozoa, a type of microscopic parasitic worm.
entreprenology The study of entrepreneurship.
enzymology The branch of science that studies enzymes.
epidemiology The study and analysis of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations.
epileptology The branch of neurology that studies epilepsy.
epiphytology The study of the character, ecology, and causes of plant diseases, especially epiphytotic outbreaks.
epistemology The branch of philosophy concerned with the theory of knowledge.
epizootiology The study of disease patterns within animal populations.
  • epizoology
  • veterinary epidemiology
equinology The study of horses.
  • hippology
eremology The study of deserts.
ergology
  1. The study of the psychological effects of work, or of work patterns; especially the causes of work-related stress (job stress).
  2. In ethnology, knowledge originating from the study of the object culture of non-European traditional societies.
erotology The study of sexual stimuli and behavior.
ertology Fan activities based on Ertar, an alternative reality project, created by a group of Czech science fiction fans.
escapology The practice of escaping from restraints or other traps; escape art.
eschatology A part of theology concerned with the final events of history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity.
Eskimology A complex of humanities sciences studying languages, history, literature, folklore, culture, and ethnology of people speaking Eskimo–Aleut languages and Eskimo (InuitYupik)–Aleut peoples in chronological and comparative context.
  • Inuitology
Esperantology The study of Esperanto.
  • Esperatology
Esperatology The study of Esperanto.
  • Esperantology
ethnoarcheology[a] The ethnographic study of people for archeological reasons, usually through the study of the material remains of a society.
ethnobiology The scientific study of the way living things are treated or used by different human cultures.
ethnocynology A neologism referring to the study of dogs within their cultural context.
ethnoecology The scientific study of how different groups of people living in different locations understand the ecosystems around them, and their relationships with surrounding environments.
ethnoichthyology The branch of anthropology that examines human knowledge of fish, the uses of fish, and importance of fish in different human societies.
ethnology The branch of anthropology that compares and analyzes the characteristics of different people and the relationship between them.
ethnomethodology The study of methods people use for understanding and producing the social order in which they live.
ethnomusicology The study of the music of different cultures and their cultural contexts, especially non-Western ones.
ethnomycology The study of the historical uses and sociological impact of fungi.
ethnopsychology The study of alternative perceptions of the mind and its behavior.
ethology The scientific and objective study of non-human animal behaviour rather than human behaviour usually with a focus on behaviour under natural conditions, and viewing behaviour as an evolutionarily adaptive trait.
etiology
  1. The study of causation, or origination.
  2. The causes of diseases or pathologies.
  • aetiology
  • ætiology
  • aitiology
etruscology The study of the ancient Italian civilization of the Etruscans.
etymology The study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.
euchology One of the chief liturgical books of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches, containing the portions of the services which are said by the bishop, priest, or deacon.
exoarcheology[a] Argued to be the same as xenoarcheology, a fictional science concerned with the physical remains of alien cultures. May also mean the study of human activities in a space environment.
exobiology The branch of biology dealing with extraterrestrial lifeforms.
  • astrobiology
exogeology A planetary science discipline concerned with the geology of the celestial bodies such as the planets and their moons, asteroids, comets, and meteorites.
  • astrogeology
  • planetary geology
exomoonology The search for and study of exomoons.
exoplanetology An integrated field of astronomical science dedicated to the search and study of exoplanets (extrasolar planets).

F[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
fairyology The study of fairies.
faunology The branch of zoology that deals with the geographical distribution of animals.
felinology The study of cats.
fermentology The study of ferments and fermentation.
ferroequinology The study of railways in general, but especially locomotives.
festology A treatise or dissertation on ecclesiastical festivals.
  • festilogy
fetology The scientific study of fetuses.
  • foetology
filicology The study of ferns.
filmology A 1950s60s movement of theoretical study relating to film.
flatology The study of flatulence.
fluviology The study of watercourses or rivers.
fluviomorphology The study of a river channel and the network of tributaries within the river basin.
foliology The study of autumnal leaf colour changes.
fontology The study of fonts, or electronic typefaces.
formicology The study of ants.
  • myrmecology
fornicology The study of fornication.
fossilology The study of fossils.
fronology The study of the contour of the skull.
fromology
  1. The study of cheese.
  2. The collection of labels from cheese.

1. cheesology

fuckology A useless study, gibberish.
fungology The study of fungi.
  • mycology
futurology The study of postulating possible, probable, and preferable futures and the worldviews and myths that underlie them.

G[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
galvanology The study of galvanism (of biology, physics, and chemistry).
gametology The study of gametes.
garbology The study of modern refuse and trash as well as the use of trash cans, compactors and various types of trash can liners.
gastroenterology The branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders.
  • gastrology
gastrology The branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders.
  • gastroenterology
gelotology The study of humour and laughter.
gemology The scientific study dealing with natural and artificial gemstone materials.
  • gemmology
geneology The common misspelling of genealogy. The study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history.
genecology A branch of ecology which studies the gene frequency of a species relating to their population distribution in a particular environment.
genesiology The study of reproduction.
genethliology The common misspelling of genethlialogy. The divination of the destiny of a newborn by studying stars and heavenly bodies on the nativity.
geoarcheology[a] A multi-disciplinary approach which uses the techniques and subject matter of geography, geology and other Earth sciences to examine topics which inform archeological knowledge and thought.
  • geoarchæology
geobiology An interdisciplinary field of scientific research that explores interactions between the biosphere and the lithosphere and/or the atmosphere.
geochronology The science of determining the age of rocks, fossils, and sediments using signatures inherent in the rocks themselves.
geoecology The interdisciplinary study of geography and ecology.
geohydrology The area of geology that deals with the distribution and movement of groundwater in the soil and rocks of the Earth's crust (commonly in aquifers).
  • hydrogeology
geology
  1. An earth science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change.
  2. The study of the solid features of any celestial body (such as the geology of the Moon or Mars).
  3. The geological features of an area.
geomorphology The scientific study of the origin and evolution of topographic and bathymetric features created by physical, chemical or biological processes operating at or near the Earth's surface.
geomythology The study of alleged references to geological events in mythology.
geotechnology The study of how earth, rock and subterranean water affect the planning, execution, and operation of engineering projects.
geotectology The study of the structure of the Earth's crust; geotectonics.
gephyrology The study of bridges and naturally occurring arches or bridge like structures.
geratology The study of elderly people and senility; geriatrics.
  • gerontology
gerodontology The study of dentistry in elderly people.
gerontology The study of the social, psychological, cognitive, and biological aspects of aging.
  • geriatrics
  • geratology
ghostology The learning, teaching, knowledge, or study of ghosts, spirits, and the supernatural; ghostlore.
gigantology The study or description of giants.
gizmology Gadgets, gadgetry.
glaciology The scientific study of glaciers, or more generally ice and natural phenomena that involve ice.
glossology
  1. The study of the tongue and its diseases.
  2. The definition and explanation of terms in constructing a glossary.
  3. The scientific study of language change over time; historical linguistics.
glottochronology The study of languages to determine when they diverged from being the same language.
glottology The study of languages.
  • linguistics
glycobiology The study of the structure, biosynthesis, and biology of saccharides (sugar chains or glycans) that are widely distributed in nature.
glyptology The study or art of engraving gems or glyptics.
gnathology The study of the masticatory system.
gnomology The study of gnomic poetry or gnomes and aphorisms.
gnomonology The study of gnomonics.
gnoseology The scientific or philosophical study of knowledge.
  • gnosiology
gnosiology The scientific or philosophical study of knowledge.
  • gnoseology
gnotobiology The study of animals in a germ-free environment
googology
  1. The study of the number googol.
  2. The mathematical study of large numbers.
graminology The scientific study of the grasses (family Poaceae).
  • agrostology
grammatology The scientific study of writing systems or scripts.
graphology The analysis of the physical characteristics and patterns of handwriting purporting to be able to identify the writer.
graphopathology The study of handwriting as a symptom of mental or emotional disorder.
grossology The study of things that are disgusting or gross.
gynecology The medical practice dealing with the health of the female reproductive systems (vagina, uterus and ovaries) and the breasts.
  • gynæcology
  • gynaecology
gynoroentgenology The study of radiologic imaging of the gynecologic parts of the female human body in order to make a radiologic diagnosis of a gynecologic disease.
  • gynecological roentgenology
  • gynæcological roentgenology
  • gynaecological roentgenology

H[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
hemorheology[b] The study of flow properties of blood and its elements of plasma and cells.
  • blood rheology
hagiology A biography of a saint or an ecclesiastical leader; a hagiography.
hamartiology The branch of Christian theology that studies sin.
hamburgerology A course of study introduced by McDonald's to train people to work in its fast food restaurants.
haplology In linguistics, the elimination of a syllable when two consecutive identical or similar syllables occur.
harmonology The study of harmonization.
hauntology In Derridan philosophy, the paradoxical state of the spectre, which is neither being nor nonbeing.
hedonology The study of the impact an injury or incident had on a person's lifestyle.
helcology The study of ulcers.
heliology The study of the sun.
helioseismology The study of the propagation of wave oscillations, particularly acoustic pressure waves, in the Sun.
helminthology The study of parasitic worms (helminths).
hematology[b] The branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to blood.
hemerology The study of calendars.
hemipterology The study of true bugs (order Hemiptera).
hemopathology The branch of pathology which studies diseases of hematopoietic cells.
henology The philosophical account or discourse on "The One" that appears most notably in the philosophy of Plotinus.
heortology The study of religious festivals.
hepaticology The study of hepatics (division Marchantiophyta).
hepatology The branch of medicine that incorporates the study of liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas as well as management of their disorders.
herbology The study of the use of plants for medicinal purposes; herbal medicine/herbalism.
  • herbalogy
heresiology The study of heresy.
herpetology The branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians (including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians (gymnophiona)) and reptiles (including snakes, lizards, amphisbaenids, turtles, terrapins, tortoises, crocodilians, and the tuataras).
heterology
  1. A lack of correspondence between parts that reflects a difference in origin.
  2. An abnormality or structural difference from what is considered normal.
heteroptology The study of true bugs (suborder Heteroptera).
heterotopology The study of heterotopias, that is, "a systematic approach that analyzes and describes the features of other spaces" as said by Michel Foucault.
hexicology The study of the relations of living creatures to other organisms, and to their surrounding conditions.
  • hexiology
hexiology The study of the relations of living creatures to other organisms, and to their surrounding conditions.
  • hexicology
hieroglyphology The study of hieroglyphics.
hierology Sacred literature or lore or the study of it.
hippology The study of horses.
  • equinology
hippopathology The study of the diseases and treatment or pathology of the horse.
histiology The study of the microscopic anatomy (microanatomy) of cells and tissues of plants and animals.
  • histology
histology The study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals.
histopathology The microscopic examination of tissue in order to study the manifestations of disease.
histophysiology The physiology or study of the functions of the cells and tissues in health.
historiology The study of history.
histotechnology The study of the processes and procedures used in the preparation of slides for light microscopy.
Hittitology The study of the Hittites.
hodology The study of pathways.
  1. (neuroscience) The study of the interconnections of brain cells.
  2. (psychology) A term introduced by Kurt Lewin (1890–1947) to describe paths in a person's "life space".
  3. (philosophy) The study of interconnected ideas.
  4. (geography) The study of paths.
Homerology The study of the poet Homer and his works.
Homoeology The study of homoeologs - genes that originated by speciation but were brought back together in the same genome by allopolyploidization.
homology
  1. (anthropology and archeology). A type of analogy whereby two human beliefs, practices, or artifacts are separated by time but share similarities due to genetic or historical connections.
  2. (specifically anthropology) A structure that is shared through descent from a common ancestor.
  3. (biology) The existence of shared ancestry between a pair of structures, or genes, in different species.
  4. (chemistry) The appearance of homologues, a compound belonging to a series of compounds differing from each other by a repeating unit.
  5. (mathematics, especially algebraic topology and abstract algebra) A general way of associating a sequence of algebraic objects such as abelian groups or modules to other mathematical objects such as topological spaces.
  6. (psychology) A relationship between characteristics that reflects the characteristics' origins in either evolution or development.
  7. (sociology) A structural resonance between the different elements making up a socio-cultural whole.
hoplology A science that studies human combative behavior and performance.
hormonology The science or study of hormones.
horology The art or science of measuring time and mechanical time-keeping devices.
humorology
  1. The study of humour and laughter.
  2. Humorism
hydrobiology The science of life and life processes in water.
hydroecology The study of support systems in wetlands such as the interactions between water and wildlife habitats.
hydrogeology The area of geology that deals with the distribution and movement of groundwater in the soil and rocks of the Earth's crust (commonly in aquifers).
  • geohydrology
hydrology
  1. The scientific study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth and other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and environmental watershed sustainability.
  2. (agriculture) The study of water balance components intervening in agricultural water management, especially in irrigation and drainage; agricultural hydrology.
hydrometeorology A branch of meteorology and hydrology that studies the transfer of water and energy between the land surface and the lower atmosphere.
hyetology The scientific study of precipitation.
hygiology The science and study of the preservation of health.
hygrology
  1. The study of bodily fluids.
  2. The study of humidity.
hylology The doctrine or theory of matter as unorganized.
hymenopterology The study of the order Hymenoptera.
hymnology The scholarly study of religious song, or the hymn.
hypertrichology The study or treatment of unsightly hair, especially facial hair.
hypnology The scientific study of sleep.
  • somnology

I[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
iamatology The study of medicinal remedies or therapeutics.
  • aceology
iatrology The study of medicine.
ichnolithology The branch of geology and biology that deals with traces of organismal behavior, such as footprints and burrows.
  • ichnology
ichnology The branch of geology and biology that deals with traces of organismal behavior, such as footprints and burrows.
  • ichnolithology
ichthyology The branch of biology devoted to the study of fish.
iconology
  1. A method of interpretation in cultural history and the history of art used by Aby Warburg, Erwin Panofsky, and their followers that uncovers the cultural, social, and historical background of themes and subjects in the visual arts.
  2. The study of visual imagery and its symbolism and interpretation, especially in social or political terms.
ideology A collection of doctrines or beliefs shared by members of a group.
idiomatology The study of idioms and idiomatic language.
idiomology The study of idiom, jargon, or dialect.
idiopsychology The psychology of one's own mind.
imageology The study of images, especially those produced by medical imaging.
imagology The study of cultural stereotypes as presented in literature.
immunohematology[b] The study of the relationships between disorders of the blood and the immune system, especially antigen-antibody interaction.
immunology A branch of biomedical science that covers the study of immune systems in all organisms.
immunopathology The branch of medicine that deals with immune responses associated with disease.
implantology The science of or techniques involved in dental implants.
Indology The academic study of the history and cultures, languages, and literature of the Indian subcontinent (most specifically the modern-day states of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal and the eastern parts of Afghanistan)
infectiology The study of the diagnosis, treatment, and control of infections and infectious diseases.
  • infectology
insectology The study of insects.
  • entomology
informology The study of information.
Inuitology A complex of humanities sciences studying languages, history, literature, folklore, culture, and ethnology of people speaking Eskimo–Aleut languages and Eskimo (InuitYupik)–Aleut peoples in chronological and comparative context.
Iranology An interdisciplinary field dealing with the study of history, literature, art and culture of Iranian peoples.
irenology The study of peace.
iridology An alternative medicine technique whose proponents claim that patterns, colors, and other characteristics of the iris can be examined to determine information about a person's health; iridodiagnosis.
Islamology The study of Islam.

J[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
Japanology The study of Japan, its language, culture, and history.
Jinology The study of Jin Yong's novels.
Judeology The study of Judaism.

K[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
kalology The study of beauty and aesthetics.
karstology The study of karst formations.
karyology The study of the nuclei of cells, especially with regard to the chromosomes which they contain.
Kibology A parody religion, named after James "Kibo" Parry, the central figure.
kidology The practice of bluffing or deception.
killology The study of the psychological and physiological effects of killing and combat on the human psyche.
kinesiology The scientific study of human body movement and its physiological, mechanical, and psychological mechanisms.
kinology The branch of physics that deals with the laws of motion.
knobology The functionality of controls on an instrument as relevant to their application.
koniology The study of atmospheric dust and its effects.
  • coniology
kookology The study of kooks, or eccentric people.
Koreanology The study of Korea.
Kremlinology
  1. The study of the internal politics of the high members of the government of the USSR.
  2. The study of the internal politics of any powerful and secretive organization.
ktenology The science of putting people to death, execution.
Kubrickology The study of Stanley Kubrick and his works.
kymatology The study of wave motion.
kyriology The use of literal or simple expressions, as distinguished from the use of figurative or obscure ones.

L[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
labology A collection of labels, especially from beer bottles.
lalopathology The study of speech disorders.
laryngology A branch of medicine that deals with disorders, diseases and injuries of the vocal apparatus, especially the larynx.
laryngorhinology A branch of medicine that deals with the larynx and nose.
latrinology The study of writings on restroom walls.
lectinology The study of lectin.
lemology The study of plague and epidemic diseases.
  • loimology
  • epidemiology
lepidopterology A branch of entomology concerning the scientific study of moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies.
leprology The study of leprosy.
leptology
  1. A minute and tedious discourse on trifling things.
  2. The study of the forms and structures of crystals; crystallography.
lexicology The part of linguistics which studies words.
lichenology The branch of mycology that studies the lichens, symbiotic organisms made up of an intimate symbiotic association of a microscopic alga (or a cyanbacterium) with a filamentous fungus.
limacology The branch of zoology which deals with slugs.
limnobiology The branch of biology that deals with animals and plants of fresh water.
limnology The study of inland waters.
lipidology The scientific study of lipids.
lipsology The art and science of reading lip prints in order to determine characteristics about a person.
literaturology The study of literature.
lithoidology The study of rocks.
lithology
  1. The study of rocks, with particular emphasis on their description and classification.
  2. The description of physical characteristics of a rock.
liturgiology The study of liturgy, a set of rituals that are performed, usually by a religion; liturgics.
logology
  1. The field of recreational linguistics, an activity that encompasses a wide variety of word games and wordplay.
  2. The study of all aspects of science (the science of science)
  3. The study of words in search for divine truth.
  4. The study of logos.
  5. The part of linguistics that studies words.

5. lexicology

logyology The study of the study of things.
loimology The study of pestilential diseases and plagues.
  • lemology
  • epidemiology
ludology The study of games.
lymphology The study of the lymphatic system.

M[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
machirology The study or collection of knives.
macrocosmology The study or description of the macrocosm.
macroecology The subfield of ecology that deals with the study of relationships between organisms and their environment at large spatial scales.
macrology Verbose, meaningless talk; pleonasm.
macrometeorology The study of large-scale behavior of the atmosphere.
macromorphology The gross structures or morphology of an organism, mineral, or soil component visible with the unaided eye or at very low levels of magnification.
magicology The study of magic.
magirology The study of cooking.
malacology The branch of invertebrate zoology that deals with the study of Mollusca.
malacostracology The study of crustaceans.
  • carcinology
  • crustaceology
  • crustalogy
malariology The study of malaria.
mammology The common misspelling of mammalogy. The study of mammals.
mantology The study or art of fortune-telling.
mapology The study of maps; cartography.
Mariology The theological study of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
martyrology
  1. (Catholicism) A catalogue or list of martyrs and other saints and beati arranged in the calendar order of their anniversaries or feasts.
  2. (Judaism) The ten rabbis living during the era of the Mishnah who were martyred by the Romans in the period after the destruction of the second Temple.
mastology The study of breasts.
mateology A vain, unprofitable discourse or inquiry.
mazology The study of mammals.
  • mammalogy
meconology The study of opium and its effects.
melissopalynology The study of pollen contained in honey and, in particular, the pollen's source.
melittology A branch of entomology concerning the scientific study of bees (clade Anthophila).
  • mellittology
mellittology A branch of entomology concerning the scientific study of bees (clade Anthophila).
  • melittology
membranology The study of membranes.
menology A service-book used in the Eastern Orthodox Church and those Eastern Catholic Churches which follow the Rite of Constantinople; a menologium or menologe.
mereology In logic and philosophy, the study of parts and the wholes they form.
mesology
  1. The scientific analysis and study of interactions among organisms and their environment.
  2. The environmental or sociological influence on a person.

1. ecology

mesometeorology The study of weather systems smaller than synoptic scale systems but larger than microscale and storm-scale cumulus systems.
  • mesoscale meteorology
metagrobology The study of puzzles.
  • enigmatology
metallogeny The study of the genesis and regional-to-global distribution of mineral deposits, with emphasis on their relationship in space and time to regional petrologic and tectonic features of the Earth's crust.
metapsychology A speculative psychology which seeks to understand the structure of the mind in terms which may not be empirically verifiable.
meteorology The study of the atmosphere and related phenomena such as weather.
methodology The systematic, theoretical analysis of the methods applied to a field of study; the study of methods.
metrology The science and study of measurement.
miasmology
microbiology The study of microorganisms.
microclimatology A branch of climatology that studies microclimates which are small, local region having a unique pattern of weather or weather effects that differ from the local climate.
microecology
  1. The ecology of microbes.
  2. The ecology of a microhabitat.
microhomology The presence of the same short sequence of bases in different genes.
micrology
  1. The study of microscopes.
  2. The science of preparing microscopic objects for study.
  3. The study of trivialities or things of little importance.
micrometeorology The study of short-lived atmospheric phenomena smaller than mesoscale.
  • microscale meteorology
micromorphology The fine-level structures (microstructures) or morphology of an organism, mineral, or soil component visible through microscopy.
micropaleontology[c] The branch of paleontology that studies microfossils, or fossils that require the use of a microscope to see the organism, its morphology and its characteristics details.
micropatriology
  1. The study of micronations, political entities that claim independence and mimic acts of sovereignty but lack legal recognition.
  2. The study of microstates, sovereign states that have a very small population or land area—usually both.
  • micropatrology
microphytology The study of very small or microscopic plant life.
microseismology The study of microseisms.
microtechnology Technology with features near one micrometre.
minerology The common misspelling of mineralogy. The study of minerals.
misology The hatred or fear of reasoning or argument.
missiology The area of practical theology that investigates the mandate, message, and mission of the Christian church, especially the nature of missionary work.
mixology The art of combining various ingredients to make cocktails.
mnesiology The study of memory.
mobilology The study of human behavior in a mobile world and the study of mobile device/phone lifestyles.
  • mociology
mociology The study of human behavior in a mobile world and the study of mobile device/phone lifestyles.
  • mobilology
molinology The study of mills and other mechanical devices which use the energy of moving water or wind, or the strength of animal or human muscle to power machines.
momilogy The study of mummies.
  • momiology
momiology The study of mummies.
  • momilogy
monadology The study of theory of monads.
monology The habit of soliloquizing, or of monopolizing conversation.
monsterology
  1. The study of monsters or cryptids.
  2. (mathematics) The study of the monster group.
montology The study of mountains.
  • orology
morology Foolish talk, nonsense.
morphology The study of the forms of things.
  1. (archeology) The study of shapes and forms (of artifacts), and their grouping into time periods.
  2. (astronomy) The study of the shape of astronomical objects such as nebulae, galaxies, or other extended objects.
  3. (biology) A branch of biology dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features.
  4. (folkloristics) The structure of narratives such as folk tales.
  5. (linguistics) The study of the structure and content of word forms.
  6. (mathematics) A theory and technique for the analysis and processing of geometrical structures, based on set theory, lattice theory, topology, and random functions.
  7. (Urban morphology) The study of the form, structure, formation and transformation of human settlements.
  8. (materials science) The study of shape, size, texture and phase distribution of physical objects.
  9. (architecture and engineering) The study of two-dimensional and three-dimensional symmetries, and then uses these geometries for planning buildings and structures.
  10. (social) The study of the form and structure of society.
  11. (ideological) The study of the conceptual structure of ideologies, and the rules defining the admissibility of meanings into concepts.
morphonology The branch of linguistics that studies the interaction between morphological and phonological or phonetic processes.
  • morphophonology
muscology The branch of botany concerned with the scientific study of bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts).
  • bryology
museology The study of the designs, organization, and management of museums.
musicology The study of music, music history, music theory, or the physical nature of sound.
mycetology The study of fungi.
  • mycology
mycology The branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi.
  • mycetology
mycotoxicology The branch of mycology that focuses on analyzing and studying the toxins produced by fungi, known as mycotoxins.
myology The study of the muscular system.
myrmecology The branch of entomology focusing on the scientific study of ants.
mythology
  1. The study of myths.
  2. A collection of myths, especially of a specific culture or religion.

N[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
nanotechnology The manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale. Otherwise accepted as the manipulation of matter with at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometers.
nanotribology A branch of tribology which studies friction phenomenon at the nanometer scale.
naology The study of ecclesiastical or sacred buildings.
narratology The theory and the study of narrative and narrative structure and the ways that these affect our perception.
nasology Parody classification of noses. The word entered into dictionaries as "study of nose".
nassology The science or art of stuffing animals for display; taxidermy.
necrology
  1. A church register containing the names of those connected with the church who have died.
  2. A list of people who have died during a specific period of time.
  3. The study of death or the dead.
  4. A notice of death; an obituary.
nematology The scientific study of nematodes.
neoichnology The study of footprints and traces of extant animals.
neology
  1. The study or art of creating new words or neologizing.
  2. The act of introducing a new word into a language.
  3. The holding of novel or rational religious views.
neonatology A subspecialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants.
neossology The study of young birds.
nephology The study of clouds.
nephrology The study of kidneys.
nerterology Any study that pertains to the dead or death.
nessology The belief or study of the Loch Ness Monster.
neurobiology The study of the nervous system including the brain.
neuroendocrinology The study of the interaction between the nervous system and the endocrine system.
neuroethology The study of animal behavior and its underlying mechanistic control by the nervous system.
neurohypnology The study or practice of mesmerism or hypnotism.
  • neurypnology
neurology A branch of medicine dealing with neurological disorders.
neuropathology The study of disease of nervous system tissue.
neuropharmacology The study of how drugs affect cellular function in the nervous system.
neurophysiology A branch of physiology and neuroscience that is concerned with the study of the functioning of the nervous system.
neuropsychology The study of the structure and function of the brain as it relates to specific psychological processes and behaviors.
neuropterology The study of net-winged insects (order Neuroptera).
neuroradiology A subspecialty of radiology focusing on the diagnosis and characterization of abnormalities of the central and peripheral nervous system, spine, and head and neck using neuroimaging techniques.
neurypnology The study or practice of mesmerism or hypnotism.
  • neurohypnology
nidology The study of birds nests.
  • caliology
nomology The study of laws.
nongeology Not of or pertaining to geology.
noology The systematic study and organization of everything dealing with knowing and knowledge.
  • noölogy
noospherology The systematic study and organization of everything dealing with knowing and knowledge about Noosphere.
nosetiology The study of the causes of disease.
nosology A branch of medicine dealing with the classification of disease.
nostology The study of senility or the mental problems of aging.
  • gerontology
numerology The study of the purported mystical relationship between numbers and the character or action of physical objects and living things.
numismatology The study or collection of money (coins, tokens, medals, paper money); numismatics.
nymphology The study of nymphs.

O[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
oceanology The branch of Earth science that studies the ocean; oceanography.
octology A series of eight related works.
  • octalogy
odology The study of odic force.
odonatology The study of dragonflies and damselflies (order Odonata).
odontology
  1. The study of the structure and development of teeth.
  2. The branch of dentistry dealing with abnormalities of teeth.
oecology The scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environment.
  • œcology
  • ecology
oenology The science and study of all aspects of wine and winemaking with the exception of vine-growing and grape-harvesting which pertains to viticulture.
  • enology
  • oinology
ohnology The state of paralogous genes that have originated by a process of whole-genome duplication.
oikology The science of houses and homes, considered especially in respect of their sanitary conditions.
oinology The science and study of all aspects of wine and winemaking with the exception of vine-growing and grape-harvesting which pertains to viticulture.
  • oenology
olfactology The study of smell.
oligochaetology The study of earthworms (class Oligochaeta).
ology A subject of study, a branch of knowledge.
ombrology The study of rain.
omenology The study of omens, divination.
omnibology The study of motor buses or omnibuses.
omphalology A medical field of study whose specialty is not identified.
oncology The branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
oneirology The scientific study of dreams.
onology Foolish discourse.
onomasiology The branch of lexicology that deals with concepts and the terms that represent them, in particular contrasting terms for similar concepts, as in a thesaurus.
onomatology The study of the origin, history, and use of proper names; onomastics.
ontology
  1. (philosophy) The branch of metaphysics that addresses the nature or essential characteristics of being and of things that exist.
  2. (philosophy) The theory of a particular philosopher or school of thought concerning the fundamental types of entity in the universe.
  3. (logic) A logical system involving theory of classes.
  4. (computer science) A structure of concepts or entities within a domain, organized by relationships; a system model.
onychology The study of fingernails and toenails.
onychopathology The study of nail disease.
oology The study of eggs, especially those of birds.
  • oölogy
ophidiology The study of snakes (clade Ophidia).
  • ophiology
ophiology The branch of herpetology dealing with the study of snakes (clade ophidia).
  • ophidiology
ophthalmology The branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye.
opsonology The study of antibody opsonization.
optology The science of testing eyes for lenses.
orchidology The study of orchids (family orchidaceae).
oreology The study of mountains.
  • orology
organology The study of musical instruments and their classification.
orismology The identification, specification, and description of technical terms.
ornithology A branch of zoology dealing with the study of birds.
orology The study of mountains.
  • montology
orrhology The study of serum.
orthology
  1. (biology) Homologous sequences descended from the same ancestral sequence.
  2. (language) The study of the correct use of words.
orthopterology The scientific study of the order Orthoptera.
oryctology
  1. The study of things dug out of the Earth such as minerals and fossils.
  2. The study of fossils, minerals, and rocks.
  3. The study of minerals; oryctognosy.
osmology
  1. The scientific study of smells.
  2. The study of osmosis.
  • osphresiology
osphresiology
  1. The scientific study of smells.
  2. The study of osmosis.
  • osmology
osteology The scientific study of bones.
osteopathology The study of diseases of the bone.
otolaryngology The branch of medicine that deals with conditions of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) region.
  • otorhinolaryngology
otology A branch of medicine which studies normal and pathological anatomy and physiology of the ear (hearing and vestibular sensory systems and related structures and functions).
otorhinolaryngology The branch of medicine that deals with conditions of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) region.
  • otolaryngology
ourology The branch of medicine that focuses on surgical and medical diseases of the male and female urinary tract system and the male reproductive organs.
  • urology
ovology
  1. The study of eggs.
  2. The study of ova.

P[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
pachydermatology The study of elephant skin. (humorous)
paedology The study of children's behavior and development.
  • pedology
paidonosology The study of children's diseases.
paleoalgology[c] The subdiscipline of paleobotany that deals with the study and identification of fossil algae and their evolutionary relationships and ecology.
  • paleophycology
paleoanthropology[c] The scientific study of human fossils, and the evolution of modern man.
  • paleanthropology
paleobiology[c] The study of fossils of plants and animals.
paleobotany[c] The branch of paleontology that deals with the study of plant fossils.
  • paleophytology
paleoclimatology[c] The study of changes in climate taken on the scale of the entire history of Earth.
paleodendrology[c] The branch of paleobotany that deals with fossil trees.
paleoecology[c] The scientific study of reconstructing ecosystems in the past using fossils and subfossils.
paleoentomology[c] The study of prehistoric insects.
paleoethnology[c] The study of the races of early man.
paleoetiology[c] The explanation of past phenomena.
paleogeology[c] The study of ancient geological features.
paleohydrology[c] The study of ancient rivers and other hydrological features.
paleoichnology[c] The branch of ichnology concerned with the study of trace fossils preserved in ancient rocks.
paleoichthyology[c] The study of fossil and ancient fish.
  • paleichthyology
paleolimnology[c] The study of paleoenvironments of inland waters by examination of sediment and fossils.
paleology[c] The study of antiquities.
paleometeorology[c] The meteorology of the earth's atmosphere during ancient times.
paleontology[c] The scientific study of life existent prior to, and sometimes including, the start of the Holocene Epoch.
paleoornithology[c] The study of ancient and prehistoric birds and their evolution.
paleoosteology[c] The study of ancient bones.
paleopathology[c] The study of diseases in ancient humans.
paleopedology[c] The study of soils of past geological eras, from quite recent (Quaternary) to the earliest periods of the Earth's history.
paleophycology[c] The subdiscipline of paleobotany that deals with the study and identification of fossil algae and their evolutionary relationships and ecology.
  • paleoalgology
paleophytology[c] The study of ancient plants and plant fossils; paleobotany.
paleotempestology[c] The study of past tropical cyclone activity by means of geological proxies as well as historical documentary records.
paleozoology[c] The branch of paleontology, paleobiology, or zoology dealing with the recovery and identification of organisms and the use of these fossils in the reconstruction of prehistoric environments and ancient ecosystems.
palynology The study of dust, which more precisely includes contemporary and fossil palynomorphs, including pollen, spores, orbicules, dinocysts, acritarchs, chitinozoans and scolecodonts, together with particulate organic matter (POM) and kerogen found in sedimentary rocks and sediments.
pantheology A branch of theology embracing all religions; a complete system covering all gods and religious systems.
pantology A systematic view of all human knowledge.
papyrology The study of ancient literature, correspondence, legal archives, etc., as preserved in manuscripts written on papyrus.
paradoxology
  1. The use of paradoxes.
  2. A paradox.
parapsychology A field of study concerned with the investigation of paranormal and psychic phenomena which include telepathy, precognition, clairvoyance, psychokinesis, near-death experiences, reincarnation, apparitional experiences, and other paranormal claims.
parasitology The study of parasites and how they interact with their hosts.
parisology The use of equivocal or ambiguous words.
paroemiology The study of proverbs.
parology The common misspelling of paralogy.
  1. The state of being paralogous (in biology, homologous sequences are paralogous if they were created by a duplication event within the genome).
  2. Paralogical reasoning.
paromology A concession to an adversary in order to strengthen one's own argument.
parthenology The study of virginity.
pathobiology The branch of biology that deals with pathology with greater emphasis on the biological than on the medical aspects.
pathology
  1. (anatomy) The study of macro and microscopic abnormalities in tissues.
  2. (Clinical pathology) Medical specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis of disease based on the laboratory analysis of bodily fluids, such as blood, urine.
  3. (mathematics) Any mathematical phenomenon considered atypically bad or counterintuitive.
  4. (Pathological science) A process by which the scientific process is distorted through wishful thinking or subjective bias.
  5. (speech) The area of rehabilitative medicine that treats of speech or swallowing impediments.
pathophysiology The physiological processes associated with disease or injury or study of it.
  • physiopathology
patrology The study of the early Christian writers who are designated Church Fathers.
pedology
  1. (soil study) The study of soils in their natural environment.
  2. (children study) The study of children's behavior and development.
  • paidology
  • paedology
Pekingology The study of the behavior of the government of the People's Republic of China.
  • Pekinology
pelology The study of the therapeutic uses of mud.
penology The study of the processes devised and adopted for the punishment and prevention of crime.
pentology A series of five related works.
perinatology A branch of medicine that focuses on managing health concerns of the mother and fetus prior to, during, and shortly after pregnancy; Maternal-fetal medicine.
periodontology The specialty of dentistry that studies supporting structures of teeth, as well as diseases and conditions that affect them; periodontics.
perissology Superfluity of words, verbosity.
personology
  1. The assessment of a person's character or personality from outer appearance, especially the face.
  2. A theory of personality psychology advanced by Henry Murray and others.

1. physiognomy

pestology The study of pests.
petrogeology The study of origin, occurrence, movement, accumulation, and exploration of hydrocarbon fuels.
  • petroleum geology
petrology The branch of geology that studies the origin, composition, distribution and structure of rocks.
phaenology The study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate, as well as habitat factors (such as elevation).
  • phenology
phagology The study of habits related to eating or feeding.
phallology The study of the penis.
phantasmology The scientific study of spiritualistic manifestations and of apparitions.
  • spectrology
phantomology The study of supernatural beings.
pharmacoendocrinology The pharmacology of endocrine function.
pharmacoenvironmentology
  1. A branch of pharmacology and pharmacovigilance that deals entry of chemicals or drugs into the environment after elimination from humans and animals as post-therapy.
  2. The environmental impact of a drug.
pharmacology The branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action.
pharology The scientific study of lighthouses and signal lights, their construction and illumination.
  • pharonology
pharyngology The scientific study of the pharynx and its diseases.
phenology The study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate, as well as habitat factors.
phenomenology
  1. May be used to describe empirical research when used to describe measurement methods in some sciences, or empirical relationships.
  2. (architecture) An aspect of philosophy based on the experience of building materials and their sensory properties.
  3. (archeology) The use of sensory experiences to view and interpret an archeological site or cultural landscape.
  4. (particle physics) A branch of particle physics that deals with the application of theory to high-energy experiments.
  5. (philosophy) The philosophical study of the structures of experience and consciousness or the school of philosophy founded by Edmund Husserl.
  6. (psychology) The study of subjective experience.
  7. (religion) The experiential aspect of religion, describing religious phenomena in terms consistent with the orientation of worshippers.
  8. (mathematical model) A mathematical expression that relates several different empirical observations of phenomena to each other, in a way which is consistent with fundamental theory, but is not directly derived from theory.
pherology The study of human carrying capacity of the Earth.
philematology The science and study of kissing.
philology The study of language in written historical sources.
phlebology The medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of venous disorders.
  • venology
phonology A branch of linguistics concerned with the systematic organization of sounds in languages.
phorology The study of disease carriers and epidemic or endemic diseases.
photobiology The scientific study of the interactions of light and living organisms.
photoecology The study of or application of aerial photography to ecology and land management.
photogeology The study or use of aerial photography to interpret geologic features.
  • photogeomorphology
photogeomorphology The study or use of aerial photography to interpret geologic features.
  • photogeology
photology The study of light.
phraseology The study of set or fixed expressions, such as idioms, phrasal verbs, and other types of multi-word lexical units (often collectively referred to as phrasemes).
phrenology A pseudomedicine primarily focused on measurements of the human skull, based on the concept that the brain is the organ of the mind, and that certain brain areas have localized, specific functions or modules.
  • craniology
phthisiology The study of or the care, treatment, and study of tuberculosis of the lung.
phycology The scientific study of algae.
  • algology
physicology The study of matter and its motion and behavior through space and time, along with related concepts such as energy and force; physics.
physiology
  1. A branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or of living matter (as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical phenomena involved.
  2. The study and description of natural objects.
physiopathology The physiological processes associated with disease or injury.
  • pathophysiology
phytobacteriology The study and diagnosis of bacterial diseases of plants.
phytolithology The study of fossil plants.
  • paleophytology
  • phytopaleontology
  • paleobotany
phytology The study of plants; botany.
phytomorphology The study of the physical form and external structure (morphology) of plants.
  • plant morphology
phytonematology The study of plant nematodes.
phytopaleontology[c] The study of ancient plants and plant fossils.
  • paleobotany
  • paleophytology
  • phytolithology
phytopathology The scientific study of diseases in plants.
  • plant pathology
phytopharmacology
  1. The study of the effects of drugs on plants.
  2. The study of medicine from plant sources.
phytophenology The study of phenology pertaining to plants.
phytophysiology The study of the physiology of plants.
phytosociology The branch of science which deals with plant communities, their composition and development, and the relationships between the species within them.
phytovirology The study of plant viruses.
pimpology The study or practice of pimping or being a pimp.
piphilology The creation and use of mnemonic techniques to remember many digits of the mathematical constant π.
piscatology The study, art, or science of fishing.
pisteology The science or study of faith.
  • pistology
pistology The branch of theology dealing with faith.
  • pisteology
placentology The study of the placenta.
planetology The scientific study of planets (including Earth), moons, and planetary systems (in particular those of the Solar System) and the processes that form them.
plangonology The study of dolls or the collection of dolls.
planktology The study of plankton.
plutology The study of wealth.
  • aphnology
pneumatology The study of spiritual beings and phenomena, especially the spiritual aspect of human beings and the interactions between humans and God.
pneumology The study of the respiratory system and its organs.
  • pulmonology
pneumonology The study of the respiratory system.
podology The study of the feet.
  • podiatry
  • chiropody
poenology The study of the processes devised and adopted for the punishment and prevention of crime.
  • penology
pogonology The study of beards.
polemology The study of human conflict and war.
politicology A synonym for the academic study of political science. It is infrequently used in English-speaking North America, yet the term is more commonly employed in Europe and elsewhere.
  • political science
politology The academic branch of political science that focuses on politics. However, this term is not in popular circulation within the United States, perhaps as it may be confused with the preceding "ology."
polychaetology The study of worms belonging to the class Polychaete.
pomology A branch of botany that studies and cultivates fruit.
ponerology
  1. The study of evil.
  2. (political) An interdisciplinary study of social issues.
posology The study of the dosages of drugs, especially the determination of appropriate dosages.
potamology The study of rivers.
praxeology The deductive study of human action based on the notion that humans engage in purposeful behavior, as opposed to reflexive behavior.
  • praxiology
primatology The scientific study of primates.
proctology The branch of medicine dealing with the pathology of and surgery upon the colon, rectum, and anus.
projectiology The study of Out-of-body experiences.
promenadology The science of strolling.
  • strollology
promorphology
  1. The study of the organization of the egg especially with reference to localization of subsequently developed embryonic structures.
  2. The branch of morphology that studies the forms of organisms from a mathematical point of view.
protistology The scientific study of protists.
protoanthropology The study of humans prior to the invention of writing.
protoarcheology[a] The study of prehistoric human artifacts and human fossils.
protozoology The study of protozoa.
psephology A branch of political science which deals with the study and scientific analysis of elections.
pseudology Falsehood of speech, the art of lying.
psilology Trivial or vacuous talk.
psychobiology
  1. The study of the application of principles of biology to the study of physiological, genetic, and developmental mechanisms of behavior in humans and other animals.
  2. The branch of psychology that interprets psychological phenomena in terms of adaptation to biological, environmental, and other factors.
  • biological psychology, biopsychology
psychoneuroimmunology The study of the interaction between psychological processes and the nervous and immune systems of the human body.
  • psychoendoneuroimmunology (PENI)
  • psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology (PNEI)
psychology The study of behavior and mind, embracing all aspects of conscious and unconscious experience as well as thought.
psychopathology The scientific study of mental disorders.
psychopharmacology The scientific study of the effects drugs have on mood, sensation, thinking, and behavior.
psychophysiology The branch of psychology that is concerned with the physiological bases of psychological processes.
psychosociology The study of problems common to psychology and sociology, particularly the way individual behavior is influenced by the groups the person belongs to.
psychotechnology Any application of technology for psychological purposes.
pteridology The study of ferns and other pteridophytes.
pterylology
  1. The branch of ornithology that studies the areas upon which birds grow feathers; pterylography.
  2. The study of pterylosis.
ptochology The study of pauperism or poverty.
pulmonology The study of the respiratory system and its organs.
  • pneumology
  • respirology
punnology The art or practice of making puns or paronomasia.
pyramidology The study of pseudoscientific speculations regarding pyramids.
pyretology The study of fevers.
pyrgology The study of towers.
pyritology
  1. The art of using a blowpipe, and often a charcoal block, to analyse minerals and metal salts.
  2. The study of pyrite or the pyrite group.
pyrology The scientific study of the effects of heat or flame, often in regards to explosives or chemical compounds.

Q[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
quinology The science of the cultivation of cinchona and its use in medicine as quinine.
quintology A novel or piece of literature divided into five works.
  • pentalogy

R[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
rabdology The practice of performing arithmetic using Napier's bones named after a treatise by John Napier.
  • rhabdology
raciology The study of races and ideas trying to justify the beliefs of racism, racialism, and other ideas of classifying individuals of different phenotypes into discrete races.
  • racial anthropology
radarmeteorology The study or use of radar in meteorology, especially to track water and ice in clouds.
radiobiology The study of the effect of ionizing radiation on living things.
radioecology The study of the effects of radiation and radioactive substances on ecological communities and natural ecosystems.
radiogeology
  1. The study of the distribution of radioactive elements in the Earth's crust.
  2. A technique of dating materials by examining their radioactivity.
radiohydrology The study of hydrology as used in the processing of radioactive materials.
radioimmunology The study of immunology using antigens or antibodies labelled with radioisotopes.
radiology
  1. A medical specialty that uses imaging to diagnose and treat diseases seen within the body.
  2. The use of radioactive substances in diagnosis and treatment of disease.
  • roentgenology
radiotechnology
  1. The technical application of any form of radiation to industry.
  2. The technology of a radio.
reactology The scientific study of psychological reactions.
redology The academic study of Cao Xueqin's Dream of the Red Chamber, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of China.
reflexology
  1. An alternative medicine involving a system of massage and application of pressure used to relieve tension and illness.
  2. The study and interpretation of behavior in terms of simple and complex reflexes.
respirology The study of diseases involving the respiratory tract.
  • pulmonology
rhabdology The practice of performing arithmetic using Napier's bones named after a treatise by John Napier.
  • rabdology
rheology The study of the flow of matter.
rhematology The study of rhemes.
rheumatology The study of rheumatic disorders.
rhinology The study of the nose, including the sinuses.
ribozymology The study of ribozymes.
rickettsiology The study of rickettsia.
Ripperology The study of Jack the Ripper, an unidentified serial killer.
roentgenology The study or use of radiation in the treatment or diagnosis of disease; radiography.
  • rontgenology
  • radiology
  • röntgenology
röntgenology The study or use of radiation in the treatment or diagnosis of disease.
  • rontgenology
  • radiography
  • radiology
  • roentgenology
rumorology The study or practice of spreading rumours.
rumpology The claimed ability to foretell the future by analyzing the characteristics of a person's buttocks.
runology The study of the Runic alphabets, Runic inscriptions and their history.

S[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
saprobiology The study of decaying organic matter and animals, saprophytes, that derive nutrients from it.
sarcology The study of the soft parts of the body which include the studies: myology, angiology, neurology, and splanchnology.
satanology The study of Satan.
scatology The study of feces.
  • coprology
scelerology The study of the sclera of the eye.
Scientology A body of religious beliefs and practices created in 1954 by American science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard.
scolecology The study of worms.
  • helminthology
sedimentology The study of natural sediments (silt, clay, and sand) and of the processes by which they are formed.
seismology The scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of elastic waves through the Earth or through other planet-like bodies.
selenology The scientific study of the moon.
selenomorphology The study of the lunar surface and landscape.
semantology The study of the meaning of words.
semasiology A discipline within linguistics concerned with the meaning of a word independent of its phonetic expression.
sematology
  1. The science of language as expressed by signs.
  2. A branch of linguistics studying the meaning of words; semantics.
semiology
  1. (semiotics) The study of signs.
  2. (medicine) The science of the signs or symptoms of disease.
  3. The art of using signs in signalling.
  • semeiology

2. symptomatology

senology The branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the breast.
serology The scientific study of serum and other bodily fluids.
serpentology The study of snakes.
sexology The scientific study of human sexuality, including human sexual interests, behaviors and functions.
siagonology The study of jawbones.
sialosemeiology The study and analysis of saliva in medical diagnoses.
sindhology The study of the history, society, culture, and literature of Sindh, a province of Pakistan.
sindonology The study of the Shroud of Turin.
sinology The academic study of China primarily through Chinese language, literature, and history.
siphonapterology The scientific study of fleas and other insects of the order Siphonaptera.
sitiology The study of food, diet, and nutrition; dietetics.
sitology The branch of medicine dealing with nutrition and dietetics.
  • sitiology
skatology The study of feces.
  • scatology
  • coprology
sociobiology A field of scientific study that is based on the hypothesis that social behavior has resulted from evolution and attempts to explain and examine social behavior within that context.
socioecology The scientific study of how social structure and organization are influenced by an organism's environment.
sociology The study of society, human social interaction and the rules and processes that bind and separate people not only as individuals, but as members of associations, groups and institutions.
sociophysiology An interdisciplinary field of research encompassing sociology and physiology that studies the physiological side of human interrelations.
somatology The study or science of the human body's physical nature as a branch of anthropology.
somatotypology The study of somatotypes.
somnology The scientific study of sleep and related disorders.
sonology The study of sound in a variety of disciplines.
  1. (medicine) The field of radiology using medical ultrasonography.
  2. (electronic music) The use or study of Acoustics, electronics, informatics, composition and psychoacoustics in electronic music and computer music.
  3. The use of sound for therapeutic and religious purposes.
sophiology
  1. A philosophical concept regarding wisdom, as well as a theological concept regarding the wisdom of God.
  2. The science of ideas.
sophology The study of wisdom.
soteriology The study of religious doctrines of salvation.
Sovietology The study of politics and policies of the Soviet Union and former communist states.
spectrology The study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation and the analysis of the electromagnetic spectrum.
speleology The study of caves and other karst features.
  • spelacology
  • spelæology
  • spelaeology
spermology
  1. The study of trivia.
  2. The study of seeds.
sphagnology The study of sphagnum moss.
sphygmology The study of the pulse and its use in diagnosis of disease.
spinology The technique or skill of spinning drum sticks.
splanchnology The study of the visceral organs.
splenology The study of the spleen and its diseases and functions.
spongiology The study of sponges (phylum Porifera).
sporalogy The study of predicting a person's future by analyzing the position of trams at the moment of a person's birth. (A parody of astrology by astronomer Nils Mustelin).
stasiology The study of political parties.
stemmatology The study of multiple surviving versions of the same text with the aim of reconstructing a lost original.
  • stemmatics
  • stemmology
stereology The three-dimensional interpretation of two-dimensional cross sections of materials or tissues.
stichology The study of poetic metres.
stigmeology The art of punctuation.
stœchiology
  1. (physiology) The study of the elements, or principles, composing animal tissues.
  2. (logic) The doctrine of the elementary requisites of mere thought.
  3. The statement or discussion of the first principles of any science or art.
  • stoichiology
  • stoechiology
stomatology The study of the mouth and nearby organs and their disorders.
storiology The study of folklore and legends.
strabismology The study of strabismus
stringology The study of algorithms and data structures used for processing text strings in programming and computing.
strollology The science of strolling.
  • promenadology
stromatology The study of stratified rocks.
stygobiology The study of stygofauna.
suicidology The scientific study of suicidal behaviour and suicide prevention.
Sumerology The study of the ancient Sumerian civilization.
switchology The settings of switches on panels.
symbiology The study of symbiosis.
symbology The study of symbols.
  1. The study of signs and symbols; semiotics.
  2. (iconography) The branch of art history which studies images.
  3. (Symbolic anthropology) A diverse set of approaches within cultural anthropology that view culture as a symbolic system that arises primarily from human interpretations of the world.
  4. An encoding scheme, particularly for barcodes.

1. symbolology

symbolology The study or use of symbols.
  • symbology
symptomatology A set of symptoms characteristic of a medical condition or exhibited by a patient.
  • symptomology
symptomology A set of symptoms characteristic of a medical condition or exhibited by a patient.
  • symptomatology
synantherology The study of plants in the family Asteraceae.
synchronology The systematic arrangement of synchronous or contemporaneous events.
syndesmology The study of ligaments.
synechology The theory of continuity or universal causation.
  • synechiology
synecology The ecological study of whole plant or animal communities.
synoecology The study of relationships between species.
synosteology The study of joints.
  • arthrology
syphilology The scientific study of the diagnosis and treatment syphilis.
systematology The study of nature regarding the formation of systems.
systemology The study of systems and the logic of systems.

T[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
Tangutology The study of the culture, history, art and language of the ancient Tangut people.
tartarology The study of the underworld or doctrine pertaining to Hell.
tautology
  1. (rhetoric) A self-reinforcing pretense of significant truth.
  2. (grammar) The use of redundant words.
  3. (logic) A universal truth in formal logic.
  4. (rule of inference) A rule of replacement for logical expressions.
taxology The technique or study of identifying, naming, and classifying things; taxonomy.
technicology Technology.
technology
  1. Machinery and equipment developed from the application of scientific knowledge.
  2. The collection of techniques, skills, methods and processes used in the production of goods or services or in the accomplishment of objectives, such as scientific investigation.
  • technicology
tectology A Bogdanovian discipline that unified all social, biological and physical sciences by considering them as systems of relationships.
  • tektology
tegestology The collection of beer mats or beverage coasters.
teleology A thing's orientation toward a goal; its end-directedness.
teleseismology The study of teleseisms or very distant seismic events.
telmatology The branch of physical geography concerned with the study of wetlands, such as marshes or swamps.
tenontology The study of tendons.
tephrochronology A geochronological technique that uses discrete layers of tephra—volcanic ash from a single eruption—to create a chronological framework in which paleoenvironmental or archeological records can be placed.
teratology The study of abnormalities of physiological development.
  • dysmorphology
terminology
  1. The study of terms and their use.
  2. A set of terms used for a specific application or study.
terotechnology The technology of installation, commissioning, maintenance, replacement and removal of plant machinery and equipment, of feedback to operation and design there of.
testaceology The study of testaceous mollusks.
  • conchology
testudinology The study of turtles or tortoises (order Chelonia).
  • chelonology
  • cheloniology
tetrology The common misspelling of tetralogy, a series of four related works.
teuthology A branch of malacology dealing with the study of cephalopods.
textology
  1. The study of the production of texts.
  2. A branch of linguistics that deals with texts as communication systems.
thanatology The scientific study of death.
thaumatology The study of miracles.
theology The study of God and religious ideas.
thereology The science of healing and treatment of diseases; therapeutics.
theriogenology A branch of veterninary medicine concerned with reproduction.
theriology The study of mammals.
  • mammalogy
  • mastology
  • therology
thermoecology The branch of ecology that focuses on the effects of the temperature change.
thermology
  1. The study of heat.
  2. (medicine) A science that uses infrared images of the body to diagnose problems.
thermopathology The branch of pathology that focuses on the effects of the temperature change.
therology The study of mammals.
  • theriology
  • mastology
  • mammalogy
Thracology The scientific study of Ancient Thrace and Thracian antiquities.
thremmatology The field of breeding or propagating plants and animals.
threpsology The study of nutrition
  • alimentology
  • sitiology
  • sitology
thymology The study of those human aspects that precede or cause purposeful human behavior.
Tibetology The study of things related to Tibet, including its history, religion, language, politics and the collection of Tibetan articles of historical, cultural and religious significance.
tidology The science or study of tides.
timbrology The study of postage stamps; philately.
timology The study of values or excellence.
tocology The study of childbirth and obstetrics.
  • tokology
tokology The study of childbirth and obstetrics.
  • tocology
tonology The study of tone in human languages.
topology
  1. (mathematics) The properties of space that are preserved under continuous deformations, such as stretching and bending, but not tearing or gluing. This can be studied by considering a collection of subsets, called open sets, that satisfy certain properties, turning the given set into what is known as a topological space.
  2. (membrane topology) The specific orientation of transmembrane proteins.
  3. (electronics) The configuration of electronic components.
  4. (Network topology) Configurations of computer or biological networks.
  5. (Geospatial topology) The study or science of places with applications in earth science, geography, human geography, and geomorphology.
  6. (cartography) Used to describe a map (a topological map) that is greatly simplified but preserves the mathematical topology while sacrificing scale and shape.
  7. (phylogenetics) The branching pattern of a phylogenetic tree.
toxicology A branch of biology, chemistry, and medicine concerned with the study of the adverse effects of chemicals (poisons) on living organisms.
toxology
  1. The study of projectiles and trajectories.
  2. Archery, or the study of archery.
trachelology The study of the neck and related injuries and disease.
transitology The study of the process of change from one political regime to another.
traumatology
  1. (medicine) The study of wounds and injuries (traumas) caused by accidents or violence to a person, and the surgical therapy and repair of the damage.
  2. (psychology) The study, development and application of psychological and counseling services for people who have experienced extreme or traumatic events.
traumatopsychology The study of psychological trauma.
treeology The study of trees.
  • dendrology
tribology The study of science and engineering of interacting surfaces in relative motion.
trichology The branch of dermatology that deals with the scientific study of the health of hair and scalp.
trilobitology The study of trilobites.
trolleyology An area of philosophy dealing with the kind of moral dilemma typified by the trolley problem.
trophology The study of food combining.
tropology
  1. The use of figurative language in speech or writing.
  2. The interpretation of figurative meanings in the Bible.
truthology The study of truth.
tsiganology The study of the Romani people.
tsiology The study of or a treatise on tea.
Turkology The study of the languages, history, literature, folklore, culture, and ethnology of people speaking Turkic languages and Turkic peoples.
typhlology The study of blindness.
typology

The study of types.

  1. (farm) The classification of farms by the USDA.
  2. (Milewski's typology) A language classification system.
  3. (morphological) A way of classifying the languages of the worldthat groups languages according to their common morphological structures.
  4. (Oakeshott typology) A classification system of medieval swords.
  5. (Pavlov's typology) The first systematic approach to the psychophysiology of individual differences.
  6. (Psychological typologies) Classifications used by psychologists to describe the distinctions between people.
  7. (Sasang typology) A classification scheme in Traditional Korean medicine.
  8. (Sociopolitical typology) The four types, or levels, of a political organization.
  9. (anthropology) The division of culture by races.
  10. (archeology) The classification of artifacts according to their characteristics.
  11. (linguistics) The study and classification of languages according to their structural features.
  12. (psychology) A model of personality types.
  13. (statistics) A concept in statistics, research design and social sciences.
  14. (theology) In Christian theology, the interpretation of some figures and events in the Old Testament as foreshadowing the New Testament.
  15. (urban planning and architecture) The classification of characteristics common to buildings or urban spaces.
  16. (Johnson's typology) A classification of intimate partner violence (IPV).
typtology The study of spirit rapping, or the theory that spirits communicate with the living by tapping various codes.

U[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
ufology The study of reports, visual records, physical evidence, and other phenomena related to unidentified flying objects (UFO).
universology The study and science of the universe.
uranology The study of heavens.
urbanology The branch of sociology that studies the problems of living in cities and towns.
uredinology The study of rust molds.
  • urenology
urenology The study of rust molds.
  • uredinology
urinology The study of urine and the urinary system.
urogynecology A surgical sub-specialty of urology and gynecology.
urolithology The study of the formation, composition, effects, and removal of urinary calculi.
urology The branch of medicine that focuses on surgical and medical diseases of the male and female urinary tract system and the male reproductive organs.
uronology The branch of medicine dealing with urine.

V[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
vaccinology The study, development, and production of vaccines.
valeology The study of healthy living
Vaticanology The study of the politics, decisions and functioning of the Vatican, Holy See, and Roman Catholic Church.
velology The study and collection of vehicle tax discs.
venereology The branch of medicine dealing with the study and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
venology The study of veins.
  • phlebology
vermeology The study of worms.
  • helminthology
vexillology The study of the history, usage, and symbolism of flags.
victimology The study of the victims of crime, and especially of the reasons why some people are more prone to be victims.
Vietnamology The study of Vietnam.
vinology The study of wine and winemaking.
  • enology
  • oenology
virology The study of viruses.
vitaminology The study of vitamins.
vocology The science and practice of vocal habilitation, or vocal training and therapy.
volcanology The study of volcanoes, lava, magma, and related geological, geophysical and geochemical phenomena.
  • vulcanology
vulvology The study of the vulva.

W[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
webology The study of World Wide Web.
woodpeckerology The study of woodpeckers.
wordology The study of words.

X[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
xenoanthropology The branch of xenology dealing with extraterrestrial cultures
  • xenoarcheology
xenoarcheology[a] A fictional science, concerned with the physical remains of alien cultures.
  • exoarcheology[a]
xenobiology A subfield of synthetic biology dealing with the study of synthesizing and manipulating biological devices and systems.
xenodochionology The lore of hotels or inns.[6]
xenology
  1. (science fiction) The study of alien life.
  2. (genetics) Homology from horizontal gene transfer.
xenozoology The branch of xenology dealing with extraterrestrial animals.
  • astrozoology
  • exozoology
xylology The study of wood.

Z[edit]

-ology Word Description Synonyms
Alternative spellings
zooarcheology[a] The study of animal remains at archeological sites.
  • archeozoology[a]
zoogeology The study of fossil animal remains.
zoology The scientific study of the behavior, structure, physiology, classification, and distribution of animals.
  • zoölogy
zoonosology The study of animal diseases.
zoopathology The veterinary study specializing in the diagnosis of animal diseases through the examination of animal tissue and body fluids.
  • veterinary pathology
zoophysiology The study of the physiology of animals.
zoophytology The natural history of zoophytes.
  • zoöphytology
zoopsychology The study of psychology in animals.
zygology The study of zygotes.
zymology The science of or knowledge concerning fermentation.
  • zumology
zymotechnology The study of fermentation, especially yeast fermentation in beer-brewing.
zythology The study of beer and beer-brewing.


† Legend
  -ology words which are not a field of study
  Common incorrect but accepted variations of terms ending in ology

[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o The prefix or combining form archeo means ancient. It can be alternately spelt archaeo or archæo. All words which contain archeo can be alternatively spelt with archaeo or archæo.
  2. ^ a b c Words that contain the American prefix or combining form hema- (or sometimes hemo) can be alternatively spelt with haema- or hæma, the British English version. In both cases, it means blood.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab The prefix paleo is used to denote something which is prehistoric, old, ancient, or primitive. The alternate spellings for it include: palaeo and palæo. All words which begin with the prefix paleo- can be alternatively spelt with palaeo- or palæo-.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. "-ology". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  2. ^ List of ancient Greek words ending in -λογία on Perseus
  3. ^ "dermatology". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  4. ^ Eric Partridge, Origins, 2nd edition,New York, Macmillan, 1959
  5. ^ Words Ending In ogy : Words Ending With ogy
  6. ^ "Definition of xenodocheionology". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2020-04-11.
  7. ^ "List of ologies". Fact Index. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  8. ^ Helmenstine, Anne Marie. "Ology List of Sciences". about.com. Archived from the original on 5 September 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  9. ^ "Ologies". Tinyonline. Archived from the original on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  10. ^ "List all words that contain ology". More Words. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  11. ^ "Sciences and Studies". The Phrontistery. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  12. ^ "-logy". AllWords.com. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  13. ^ "Words ending in ogy". Word Over. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  14. ^ "Words ending in -logy". vocabulary.com. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  15. ^ "-ology, -logy, -ologist, -logist". English-Word Information. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  16. ^ "ologies". Wordnik. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  17. ^ Aldrich, Chris (2002). The Aldrich dictionary of phobias & other word families. Victoria, B.C.: Trafford. pp. 88–139. ISBN 1-55369-886-X. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  18. ^ "Dictionary of Ologies - Documents". documents.mx. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  19. ^ "A list of Ologies". learningabe.info. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  20. ^ Helmenstine, Anne Marie. "Ology List of Sciences" (PDF). lcps.org. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  21. ^ "Sciences and Studies". Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  22. ^ "Ologies and Graphys". www.quick-facts.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2017.

External links[edit]