doctor
11 synonyms and 0 antonyms for doctor, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person trained and licensed to treat sick or injured people.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use doctor
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin doctor, "teacher," from docere, "to teach."
Full origin of doctor →Frequently asked questions
What does “doctor” mean?
The word “doctor” means a person trained and licensed to treat sick or injured people. In plain terms, a medical professional or degree-holder, or (as a verb) to tamper with something to change its meaning or content.
How do you pronounce “doctor”?
“Doctor” is pronounced DOK-tuh (/ˈdɑktɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “doctor” in a sentence?
Here is “doctor” used in a sentence: “She saw a doctor about the persistent cough.”
What is another word for “doctor”?
Words with a similar meaning to “doctor” include family doctor, general practitioner, GP, medic, physician and sawbones.
What part of speech is “doctor”?
Depending on how it is used, “doctor” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “doctor” come from?
The word “doctor” comes from Latin. From Latin doctor, "teacher," from docere, "to teach.".
Is “doctor” a common word?
“Doctor” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “doctor” have?
“Doctor” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person trained and licensed to treat sick or injured people.
What is the difference between a doctor and a physician?
In everyday use they are often the same thing. Physician specifically means a medical doctor who treats illness, usually through medicine rather than surgery. Doctor is broader: it covers physicians, surgeons, and dentists, and also anyone holding a doctorate such as a PhD. All physicians are doctors, but not all doctors are physicians.
What are the types of doctors?
Doctors specialize in many fields. General practitioners handle everyday care, while specialists focus on areas such as cardiology (heart), dermatology (skin), pediatrics (children), and psychiatry (mind). Surgeons operate; anesthesiologists manage pain during surgery. Most train first as general doctors, then pursue years of further study in their chosen specialty.
Is a person with a PhD called a doctor?
Yes. The title "doctor" originally meant a learned scholar, and anyone awarded a doctorate — a PhD or equivalent — earns the right to be called doctor. In medical settings, though, "doctor" usually refers to a physician. Both uses are correct; context tells you whether the person practices medicine or holds an academic degree.