doctor
DOK-tuh
Doctor (noun) means a person trained and licensed to treat sick or injured people. Example: “Please call the doctor if your fever has not gone down by tomorrow.”
noun
1
A person trained and licensed to treat sick or injured people.
"Please call the doctor if your fever has not gone down by tomorrow."
"She saw a doctor about the persistent cough."
"The doctor prescribed antibiotics for the infection."
2
A person who holds a doctorate, such as a PhD.
"She is a doctor of chemistry and teaches at the local university."
"Our neighbour proudly puts "Doctor" on her letters after completing her PhD in history."
"He earned the title of doctor after finishing his dissertation."
verb
1
To alter something, often dishonestly, to change how it appears.
"The accountant was sacked for doctoring the company's figures to hide the losses."
"Someone had doctored the report so that the results looked far better than they were."
"The photo had clearly been doctored before it was posted online."
2
To add something harmful or unwanted to food or drink.
"She suspected that somebody had doctored her coffee when she felt unusually drowsy."
"Police warned pub-goers never to leave a drink unattended in case someone doctors it."
"He was accused of doctoring the drinks at the party."
How to use doctor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA medical professional or degree-holder, or (as a verb) to tamper with something to change its meaning or content.
Common mistake
In the UK, "doctor" for a physician is used more broadly than in some countries where "physician" is the formal term; the verb sense ("doctored evidence") always implies dishonesty.
Common pairings
see a doctor
doctor's appointment
doctored photo
family doctor
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Word forms
- Plural
- doctors
- Third person singular
- doctors
- Past tense
- doctored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please call the _____ if your fever has not gone down by tomorrow.
Etymology
From Latin doctor, "teacher," from docere, "to teach."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for doctor
See all rhymes for 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.
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