List of Ologies - Words ending in -ology

Posted in Miscellaneous

The English suffix -ology or -logy denotes a field of study or academic discipline, and -ologist describes a person who studies that field. However not every field or study or discipline is an '-ology', for instance the study of childbirth is midwifery and a practitioner is a midwife. 

The word ology is a back-formation from the names of these disciplines. "-logy" basically means "the study of ____". Such words are formed from Greek or Latin roots with the terminal -logy derived from the Greek suffix -λογια (-logia), speaking, from λεγειν (legein), to speak. The word ology is thus misleading as the 'o' is actually part of the word stem that receives the -logy ending. For example, the bio part of biology stems from Greek βιος (bios), life. This is why some of the words do not end in -ology (such as mineralogy).

  • Acarology, the study of ticks and mites
  • Actinobiology, the study of the effects of radiation upon living organisms
  • Actinology, the study of the effect of light on chemicals
  • Aerobiology, a branch of biology that studies organic particles, such as bacteria, fungal spores, very small insects and pollen, which are passively transported by the air.
  • Aerology, the study of the atmosphere
  • Aetiology, the medical study of the causation of disease
  • Agnoiology, the study of things of which we are by nature ignorant, or of things which cannot be known
  • Agrobiology, the study of plant nutrition and growth in relation to soil conditions
  • Agrology  Canada: the art and science of agriculture, Non-Canada: the study of soils
  • Agrostology, the study of grasses
  • Algology, the study of algae
  • Allergology, the study of the causes and treatment of allergies; a branch of medicine
  • Andrology, the study of male health and disease
  • Anesthesiology, the study of anesthesia and anesthetics; a branch of medicine
  • Angelology, the study of angels
  • Angiology, the study of the anatomy of blood and lymph vascular systems
  • Anthropology, the study of humans
  • Apiology, the study of bees (apiaries)
  • Arachnology, the study of spiders and their kind
  • Archaeology, the study of past cultures through the analysis of material remains
  • Archaeozoology, the study of relationships between humans and animals over time through examination of animal remains at archaeological sites (also see Zooarchaeology)
  • Areology, the study of Mars
  • Assyriology, the study of the Assyrians
  • Astacology, the study of crawfish
  • Asteroseismology, the study of the internal structures of stars as revealed by their oscillations (see also Helioseismology).
  • Astrobiology, the study of origin of life
  • Astrogeology, the study of geology of celestial bodies (e.g., planets, asteroids, comets)
  • Astrology, the study of the purported influence(s) of celestial bodies on earthly affairs
  • Astrometeorology: using astrology to forecast the weather
  • Atmology, the study of the laws and phenomena of aqueous vapors
  • Audiology, the study of hearing; a branch of medicine
  • Autecology, the study of the ecology of any individual species
  • Autology, the attribute (of a word) of being self descriptive. The word "polysyllabic" is autological because it is polysyllabic. (compare heterology)
  • Auxology, the study of human growth.
  • Axiology, the study of the nature of values and value judgements
  • Bacteriology, the study of bacteria
  • Balneology, the scientific study of baths, bathing and of their application to disease
  • Bibliology, the study of books, printing, and publishing; also called Bibliography
  • Bioclimatology, the study of the effects of climate on living organisms
  • Biogeomorphology, or ecogeomorphology, the study of interactions between organisms and geomorphological processes
  • Bioecology, the study of the relationship of organisms to each other and to their environment
  • Biology, the study of life
  • Biometeorology, the study of the effects of atmospheric conditions on living organisms
  • Biotechnology industrial use of living organisms or their components to improve human health and food reduction
  • Boxology is the study of schematic layouts, for example of corporate org charts.
  • Bryology, the study of bryophytes
  • Bryozoology, the study of the phylum Bryozoa
  • Buddhology, the study of the nature of Buddha
  • Campanology, the study and the art of bell ringing
  • Cardiology, the study of the heart
  • Cariology, the study of cells
  • Cereology, the study of crop circles
  • Cetology, the study of cetaceans - whales, dolphins, and porpoise
  • Characterology, the study of character
  • Christology, the theological study of redemption (christos > christein: to sacrament), not only speaking of Christianity but also extended to religion in general
  • Chorology, the study of the relationship of biological or other phenomena to their locations
  • Chronology the study of things in order of time or the study of time
  • Climatology, the study of the climate
  • Codicology, the study of the preparation of books and manuscripts (ink, paper, vellum etc)
  • Coleopterology, the study of beetles
  • Coniology, the study of dust in the atmosphere and its effects on plants and animals, also spelled "koniology"
  • Conchology, the study of shells and of molluscs
  • Contrology, a neologism for the Pilates method, a system of physical exercise
  • Cosmology, the study of the cosmos or our place in it
  • Cosmetology, the study of cosmetics and their use
  • Craniology, the study of the characteristics of the skull
  • Criminology, the scientific study of crime
  • Cryology, the study of very low temperatures and related phenomena.
  • Cryptology, the study of how to encrypt and decrypt secret messages
  • Cryptozoology, the study of animals that may or may not be mythical
  • Cynology, the study of dogs
  • Cytomorphology, the study of the structure of cells
  • Cytology, the study of cells       
  • Deltiology, the study of, but more often the collecting of picture postcards
  • Demonology, the study of demons
  • Dendrochronology, the study of the age of trees and the records in their rings
  • Dendrology, the study of trees
  • Deontology, in ethics, the study of duty.
  • Dermatology, the field of medicine that deals with the skin
  • Dermatopathology, the field of dermatological anatomical pathology
  • Desmology, the study of ligaments
  • Dialectology, the study of dialects
  • Dipterology, the study of flies
  • Diabetology, the study of diabetes mellitus
  • Doxology, a liturgical expression of praise to God
  • Dragonology, the study of dragons
  • Ecclesiology, the study of Church architecture and decoration, or separately the study of the Christian Church
  • Ecogeomorphology, or biogeomorphology, the study of interactions between organisms and geomorphological processes
  • Ecohydrology, the study of interactions among organisms and the water cycle.
  • Ecology, the study of the interrelationships between living organisms and their environment. Sometimes spelled "?cology".
  • Economic geology is concerned with earth materials that can be utilized for economic and/or industrial purposes.
  • Ecophysiology, the study of the interrelationship between an organism's physical functioning and its environment
  • Edaphology, a branch of soil science that studies the influence of soil on life.
  • Egyptology, the study of the ancient Egyptians
  • Electrophysiology, the study of the relationship between electric phenomena and bodily processes
  • Embryology, the study of embryos
  • Emetology, the study or knowledge of emetics
  • Endocrinology, the study of internal secretory glands
  • Enigmatology, the study of puzzles
  • Enology (or Oenology), the study of wine and winemaking
  • Entomology, the study of insects
  • Enzymology, the study of enzymes
  • Epidemiology, the study of the origin and spread of diseases
  • Epistemology, the study of the nature and origins of knowledge
  • Escapology, the practice of escaping from restraints or other traps.
  • Eschatology, a branch of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or of mankind
  • Ethnology, the study of race
  • Ethnomusicology, the study of music in society, usually non-western music
  • Ethology, the study of animal behaviour
  • Etiology, same as Aetiology
  • Etymology, the study of word origins
  • Eulogy, the speech of praise
  • Evolutionary biology, the study of the process of biological evolution
  • Evolutionary psychology, the study of the process of (usually) human psychological evolution.
  • Exobiology, the study of life in outer space
  • Felinology, the study of cats
  • Ferroequinology, the study of railways, particularly locomotives.
  • Fetology, the study of the fetus, especially when within the uterus. Sometimes spelled foetology.
  • Formicology, the study of ants
  • Fungology, fungus + -ology, see mycology.
  • Futurology, the study of the future
  • Garbology - study of refuse and trash
  • Gastrology or Gastroenterology - diseases of stomach and intestines
  • Gemmology or Gemology, the study of gemstones and ornamental materials
  • Genealogy (commonly misspelled and mispronounced as "geneology"), the study of relationships within families particularly with a view to constructing family trees
  • Genecology, the study of genetic differences in relation to the environment
  • Geobiology, the study of the biosphere and its relations to the lithosphere and atmosphere.
  • Geochronology, the study of the age of the Earth
  • Geology, the study of the Earth
  • Geomorphology, the study of present-day landforms, traditionally on Earth but with increasing frequency on nearby planetary objects
  • Gerontology, the study of old age
  • Glaciology, the study of glaciers
  • Grammatology, the study of writing systems. Also the study of deconstructive literary criticism, popularized in the 1960s by Jacques Derrida
  • Graphology, the study of handwriting for the purpose of analysing the character of the writer
  • Grossology, the study of gross (slang) and disgusting things. Fictional; book title
  • Gynaecology or Gynecology, the study of medicine relating to women, or of women in general
  • Hematology/Haematology, the study of blood
  • Heliology, the study of the Sun
  • Helioseismology, the study of vibrations and oscillations in the Sun
  • Helminthology, the study of parasitic worms. See Vermeology.
  • Hepatology, the study of the liver; a branch of medicine
  • Herbology, the study of the therapeutic use of plants
  • Herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians
  • Heterology, the attribute (of a word) of not being self descriptive. The word "monosyllabic" is heterological because it is not monosyllabic. (compare autology)
  • Heteroptology, the study of true bugs
  • Hieroglyphology, Egyptian hieroglyphics, an ancient writing system
  • Hierographology, the study of sacred texts
  • Hierology, a more inclusive term for theology
  • Hippology, study of horses
  • Histology, the study of living tissues
  • Histopathology, the study of the (microscopic) structure of diseased tissues
  • Historiology, the study of the writings and practices of historians
  • Homology, concept in anthropology, biology, algebraic topology, and sociology, meaning "likeness in structure"
  • Horology, the study of making timepieces, measuring time and timekeeping (also the study of time)
  • Hydrogeology, the study of underground water
  • Hydrology, the study of water
  • Hypnology, the study of sleep (also: somnology)
  • Ichnology, the study of fossil footprints, tracks and burrows
  • Ichthyology, the study of fish
  • Ideology, the study of ideas throughout society both socially,politically,historically and literary
  • Immunology, the study of the immune system
  • Indology, the study of the history, languages, and cultures of the Indian subcontinent
  • Iranology, the study of history, literature, art and culture of Iran (Persia)
  • Islamology, the study of the Islam
  • Japanology, the study of Japanese people
  • Karyology, the study of karyotypes (a branch of cytology)
  • Killology, the study of human beings killing other human beings (Grossman's theory)
  • Kinesiology, the study of movement in relation to human anatomy
  • Kremlinology, the study of the Soviet Union
  • Kymatology, the study of waves or wave motions
  • Laryngology, the study of the larynx, or voice box; a branch of medicine
  • Lepidopterology, the study of butterflies and moths
  • Lexicology, the study of the signification and application of words
  • Limnology, the study of fresh water environments, particularly lakes
  • Lithology, the study of rocks
  • Ludology, the study of video games
  • Lymphology, the study of the lymph system and glands

 

  • Malacology, the study of mollusks
  • Mammalogy, the study of mammals
  • Mereology, a branch of logic focusing on the study of part-whole relationships
  • Meteorology, the study of weather
  • Methodology, (properly) the study of methods
  • Metrology, the study of measurement
  • Microbiology, the study of microorganisms.
  • Micrology, the science of preparing and handling microscopic objects for study.
  • Mineralogy, the study of minerals
  • Missiology, the study of missions and missionary work
  • Mixology, the study or skill of preparing mixed drinks.
  • Molinology, the study of windmills, watermills and animal engines.
  • Monadology, a book by Leibniz on the study of his theory of monads.
  • Morphology, the study of forms that is used in several other fields (biology, linguistics, astronomy, etc.)
  • Museology, the study of museum management.
  • Musicology, the study of music
  • Mycology, the study of fungi
  • Myology the scientific study of muscles
  • Myrmecology, the study of ants
  • Mythology, the study of myths
  • Nanotechnology, the study and design of machines at the molecular level
  • Nanotribology, the study of friction at very small (atomic) scale
  • Nematology, the study of nematodes
  • Neonatology, the study of diseases and the care of newborn infants; a branch of pediatrics/paediatrics
  • Nephology, the study of clouds
  • Nephrology, the study of the kidneys and their diseases, a branch of medicine
  • Neurology, the study of nerves
  • Neuropathology, the study of neural diseases
  • Neurophysiology, the study of the functions of the nervous system
  • Nosology, the study of disease classification
  • Numerology, the study of numbers (often in a non-mathematical sense)
  • Nutriology, the study of nutrition
  • Oceanology, the study of oceans
  • Odonatology, the study of dragonflies and damselflies
  • Odontology, the study of the structure, development, and abnormalities of the teeth
  • Oenology, the study of wine
  • Omnology, the study of everything
  • Oncology, the study of cancer
  • Oneirology, the study of dreams
  • Onomatology, the study of proper names
  • Ontology, the study of existence
  • Oology, the study of eggs
  • Ophthalmology, the study of the eyes
  • Organology, the study of musical instruments (not just organs); alternatively, the study of anatomical organs
  • Ornithology, the study of birds
  • Orology, the study of mountains and their mapping
  • Orthopterology, the study of grasshoppers and crickets
  • Osteology, the study of bones
  • Otolaryngology, the study of the ear and throat; a branch of medicine
  • Otology, the study of the structure, function, and pathology of the ear
  • Otorhinolaryngology, the same as otolaryngology
  • Paleoanthropology, the study of prehistoric people and human origins
  • Paleobiology, the study of prehistoric life
  • Paleobotany, the study of prehistoric metaphytes (i.e., multicellular plants)
  • Paleoclimatology, the study of prehistoric climates
  • Paleoecology, the study of prehistoric environments by analyzing fossils and rock strata
  • Paleontology, the study of fossils of ancient life
  • Paleophytology (see "paleobotany"), the study of ancient multicelled plants
  • Paleozoology, the study of prehistoric metazoans (i.e., multicellular animals)
  • Palynology, the study of pollen
  • Parapsychology, the study of paranormal or psychic phenomenon that defy conventional scientific explanations
  • Parasitology, the study of parasites
  • Pathology, the study of illness
  • Pedology (soil study), one of two main branches of soil science
  • Pedology (children study)
  • Penology, the study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation.
  • Personology, a variant of physiognomy
  • Petrology, the study of rocks and the conditions by which they form
  • Pharmacology, the study of drugs
  • Phenology, the study of periodic biological phenomena such as flowering, migration, breeding, etc.
  • Phenomenology, the study and science of phenomena as distinct from the science of actual existence or being; also a movement founded by Husserl which studies conscious experience without its metaphysical concerns
  • Philology, the study of a language together with its literature
  • Phlebology, a branch of medicine that deals with the venous system
  • Phonology, the study of vocal sounds
  • Phrenology, the derivation of a persons character traits, by studying the shape of their skull
  • Phycology, the study of algae
  • Physiology, the study of mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of living organisms
  • Phytology, the study of plants; botany
  • Phytopathology ("Plant pathology"), the study of plant diseases
  • Phytosociology, the study of the ecology of plant communities
  • Piphilology, the mnemonic practice of writing sentences such that the numbers of letters in the words correspond to the consecutive digits of pi
  • Planetology, the study of planets and solar systems; more commonly called Planetary science
  • Planktology, the study of plankton
  • Pneumology, a synonym of Pulmonology
  • Pomology, the scientific study and cultivation of fruits
  • Posology, the study of drug dosage
  • Primatology, the study of primates
  • Proctology, the study of the hind regions (rectum, anus, colon and pelvic floor) of the body
  • Psephology, the study, especially statistical, of elections.
  • Psychobiology, the study and psychology of organisms with regard to their functions and structures
  • Psychology, the study of mental processes in living creatures
  • Psychopathology, the study of the mental processes within mental illness or disorders
  • Psychopharmacology, the study of psychotropic or psychiatric drugs
  • Psychophysiology, the study of the physiological bases of psychological processes
  • Pulmonology, the specialty in medicine that deals with diseases of the lungs and the respiratory tract
  • Radiology, the study of rays, usually ionising radiation
  • Redology, the study of the classical Chinese literary masterpiece Dream of the Red Chamber
  • Reflexology, originally the study of reflexes or of reflex responses; but see also non-study list
  • Rheology, the study of flow
  • Rheumatology, the study of rheumatic diseases, a branch of medicine
  • Rhinology, the study of the nose and its diseases
  • Ripperology, the study of Jack the Ripper and the crimes associated with him
  • Sarcology, a subsection of anatomy that studies the soft parts. It includes myology, angiology, neurology, and splanchnology
  • Scatology, the study of feces
  • Scientology, the applied religious philosophy created by American writer L. Ron Hubbard
  • Sedimentology, a branch of geology that studies sediments.
  • Seismology, the study of earthquakes
  • Selenology, the study of the moon
  • Semiology, the study of signs
  • Semitology, the study of Semitic cultures
  • Serology, the study of blood serum
  • Serpentology, the study of snakes
  • Sexology, the study of sex
  • Sindonology, the study of the Shroud of Turin
  • Sinology, the study of China
  • Sitiology, dietetics, the study of diet. Also, a treatise on diet. Also spelled "sitology"
  • Sociology, the study of society
  • Sociobiology, the study of the effect of evolution on ethology
  • Somnology, the study of sleep, also: hypnology
  • Somatology, study of human characteristics
  • Soteriology the study of the doctrine of salvation, especially as related to Christianity
  • Sovietology, the study of communist Soviet Union
  • Speleology, the study or exploration of caves
  • Sporalogy, a parody of astrology
  • Stemmatology, a discipline that attempts to reconstruct the transmission of a text (especially a text in manuscript form) on the basis of relations between the various surviving manuscripts
  • Stomatology, study of the mouth and its diseases.
  • Sumerology, the study of the Sumerians.
  • Symbology, the study and interpretation of symbols, or a set of symbols. Also used for types of barcodes
  • Symptomatology, the study of symptoms
  • Synecology, the study of the ecological interrelationships among communities of organisms
  • Syphilology, the study of syphilis
  • Taxology, a synonym for taxonomy
  • Technology, the study of the practical arts (but see above)
  • Teleology, the study of ends or final causes
  • Teratology, the study of wonders, or monsters
  • Terminology, the usage and study of terms.
  • Thanatology, the study of physical, psychological and social problems associated with dying.
  • Thermology, the study of heat.
  • Theology, the study in religion
  • Tibetology, the study of Tibet
  • Tocology, the study of childbirth, sometimes spelled "tokology".
  • Tonology, the study of intonation in speech
  • Topology, the mathematical study of closeness and connectedness
  • Toxicology, the study of poisons
  • Traumatology, the study of wounds and injuries caused by accidents or assaults and their surgical treatment and repair; a branch of medicine
  • Tribology, the study of friction and lubrication
  • Trichology, the study of hair and the scalp
  • Typology, the study of classification
  • Urology, the study and treatment of diseases of the urogenital tract, a branch of medicine. Sometimes spelled "ourology".
  • Ufology, the study of Unidentified flying object (UFO) phenomena.
  • Vaccinology, the study of vaccines
  • Venereology, the study of venereal diseases
  • Vexillology, the study of flags
  • Victimology, the study of victims of crime, often applied to characterizing the criminal
  • Virology, the study of viruses
  • Volcanology (also spelled vulcanology), the study of volcanoes and related phenomena (traps)
  • Xenobiology, the study of non-terrestrial life
  • Xylology, the study of wood
  • Zooarchaeology, the study and analysis of animal remains at archaeological sites to reconstruct relationships between people, animals, and their environment (also see Archaeozoology)
  • Zoology, the study of animals
  • Zoopathology ("Animal pathology"), the study of animal diseases
  • zoopsychology, the study of mental processes in animals
  • Zymology, the study of fermentation