A typist is someone whose job involves typing documents, letters, reports, or other written materials. Before computers became common, typists worked with typewriters, mechanical machines that printed letters onto paper when keys were pressed. A skilled typist could type quickly and accurately without looking at the keys, transforming handwritten notes or dictated words into neat, readable pages.

In the early and mid-1900s, being a typist was a common profession. Offices, newspapers, and government agencies employed typists to create clean copies of important documents. A fast typist might type 60, 80, or even 100 words per minute. The best typists developed remarkable speed and accuracy through years of practice.

Today, most people type their own documents on computers, so professional typists are less common than they once were. However, the skills of a good typist remain valuable: typing quickly and accurately can help with homework, writing stories, and communicating clearly. Court reporters, who record everything said during trials, use special machines to type extremely fast.

When someone calls you a “good typist,” they mean you can type quickly without making many mistakes. Like learning to play piano, becoming a skilled typist takes practice, and that practice can be useful throughout life.