Doctor-Physician | Commonly Confused Words
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Master confusing words with ease

Doctor vs. Physician

Doctor

/ˈdɒktə/
A person who is qualified to treat people who are ill or hurt; also, someone holding the highest university degree

Examples:

She was treated by her local doctor.Doctors near doctors."Oh, Doctor Keene!" The doctor heard him, and turned around.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Physician

/fəˈzɪʃən/
A person who is trained and licensed to treat sick and injured people, especially one who practices medicine as a job

Examples:

The exasperated physician shouted: "Hold your peace!He adopted the bedside manner of a family physician."You must not worry," the head physician said.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Both doctor and physician refer to medical professionals, but they have nuanced distinctions.
  • The term doctor is broader and can refer to anyone who has earned a doctoral degree, not just in medicine.
  • A physician specifically refers to someone trained and licensed to practice medicine.
  • While all physicians are doctors, not all doctors are physicians due to the broader use of doctor.
  • Remember that physician relates strictly to medical practice, whereas doctor can be academic or medical.
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