Doctor
/ˈdɒktər/
Definitions
4 meaningsA person licensed to practice medicine; a physician.
/ˈdɒktər/
A qualified practitioner of medicine.
The doctor prescribed antibiotics for the infection.
💡 Simply: A doctor is like a grown-up who knows all about bodies and how to fix them when they're not feeling well. They give you medicine or tell you what to do to feel better, like when you have a cold or a tummy ache. They're your friend when you're feeling yucky!
👶 For kids: A doctor helps people when they're sick!
More Examples
I need to make an appointment with the doctor for a check-up.
The hospital employs many doctors and nurses.
How It's Used
"The doctor examined the patient."
"She consulted a doctor about her symptoms."
A person who has earned a doctoral degree, such as a PhD or a medical degree.
/ˈdɒktər/
The holder of a doctoral degree.
The professor holds a doctorate in history.
💡 Simply: Besides the medicine doctors, there are also other 'doctors'. This kind of doctor is someone who has studied a lot, and has a very high degree, showing they know a lot about a special topic! They might be a doctor of science, or a doctor of history.
👶 For kids: Sometimes, 'doctor' is someone who went to a really big school to learn about something special.
More Examples
She's working towards her doctorate in engineering.
A doctor of philosophy often specializes in a particular area of research.
How It's Used
"She earned a PhD and is now a doctor in philosophy."
To give medical treatment to.
/ˈdɒktər/
To treat (a patient) medically.
The nurse doctored his injured leg.
💡 Simply: If you 'doctor' someone, you're acting like the medical doctor. It means giving care to a person who is not well, like putting a bandage on a cut, giving medicine, or checking the body's condition
👶 For kids: When you doctor someone, you help them feel better when they're sick or hurt.
More Examples
The veterinarian doctored the sick dog.
They called an ambulance and got the injured man doctored immediately
How It's Used
"The physician doctored the patient's wound."
To tamper with or alter something, often in a way that is dishonest or deceptive.
/ˈdɒktər/
To tamper with or alter, often in a deceptive way.
She was caught doctoring the evidence.
💡 Simply: To 'doctor' something means to change it, especially in a sneaky way, often to make things look better than they really are. It’s like when you try to fix a bad photo, but you're actually changing the truth.
👶 For kids: To doctor something means to mess with it so it's not true anymore.
More Examples
They were accused of doctoring the food to make it taste better.
The politician was suspected of doctoring the poll results to appear more popular.
How It's Used
"He was accused of doctoring the financial reports."
Idioms & expressions
the doctor is in
A doctor or other professional is available to see patients or clients.
"The sign outside said, "The doctor is in" which meant it was time for my appointment."
From Middle English doctour, from Old French doctour, from Latin doctor (“teacher”), from docēre (“to teach”).
The term 'doctor' has been used to describe medical practitioners since the 13th century. It originally referred to anyone who had a learned profession.
Memory tip
Think of someone 'doc-umenting' your health.
Word Origin
"teacher"