boffinbof‧fin /ˈbɒfɪn $ ˈbɑː-/ noun [countable] British English informal 
He was always a bit of a boffin, even at school. computer boffins
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A few science boffins were asked for their opinions, but otherwise the article gave very little information.
- Government boffins have been explaining a new weapon that destroys people but leaves houses intact.
- Oldfield was never conferred with boffin status, unlike his contemporary, Mr Ambient himself, Brian Eno.
- Perhaps the boffins in the boats at Scapa ought to swallow their compassion and get equally coercive with the whales.
- The boffin claims to be able to lower bust-up ratios by analysing responses to statements about their lifestyles.
- Their boffins used sophisticated hospital scanners to mould the exact shape of Schuey's head to within one-tenth of a millimetre.
- This was contrary to the opinion of the world and society which thought of him as a boffin.
- Three wore the white coats of the back-room boffin, the fourth was diminutive, little more than a boy.
Longman Language Activatorsomeone who knows a lot about something
someone who know a lot about a subject: · The team of experts includes psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers.expert in/on: · an expert in French history· A draft of the document was reviewed by experts on hospital infection control.medical/legal/financial etc expert: · Legal experts are saying that the man's conviction was unlawful.
someone who has studied a particular subject for a long time and knows much more about it than other people: · You really need a specialist for this job.specialist in: · Professor Williams teaches English Literature and is a specialist in the novels of George Orwell.computer/marketing/engine etc specialist: · The Health Department is seeking the advice of a team of tropical disease specialists.
someone whose knowledge and opinions on a particular subject are greatly respected: authority on: · Reischauer became an authority on Japanese-American relations.· She was widely regarded as the country's leading authority on plant diseases.
someone who knows a lot about a subject, especially politics or economics, and who is asked to give their opinion about it on television, in newspapers etc: · If the pundits are right, the economic situation may become worse before the end of the year.· Hollywood pundits predicted the movie would grab the top spot in the ratings, but they were wrong.
someone who knows a lot about a particular activity or subject because they are very interested in it: film/jazz/computer etc buff: · "How many films did Hitchcock make?" "Ask Paul, -- he's a great film buff."· The market for magazines for computer buffs is growing all the time.
someone who has great knowledge and experience of something such as art, furniture, food, or wine so that they can recognize what is the best: · The golden chanterelle, as it is commonly known, is a favorite among mushroom connoisseurs.connoisseur of: · Lord Burlington was a great collector and connoisseur of paintings.
informal British someone who knows a lot about a particular subject, especially a scientific or technical subject: · A few science boffins were asked for their opinions, but otherwise the article gave very little information.
WORD SETSbaseline, nounboffin, nounconservation, nounconservationist, nouncontrol, nouncorrelation, noundouble-blind, adjectiveformula, nouninorganic, adjectiveinorganic chemistry, noun-logy, suffixmetallurgy, nounmicroscope, nounnatural science, nounnomenclature, noun-ologist, suffix-ology, suffixosmosis, nounphysical science, nounpipette, nounscience, nounscience park, nounscientist, nountechnical, adjectivetest tube, nountheoretical, adjectivetheoretically, adverbtheorist, nountheorize, verbtheory, nountoxicology, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY computer boffins
1a scientist2someone who is very clever: computer boffins He was always a bit of a boffin, even at school. computer boffins