Doctor-Physician | Commonly Confused Words
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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
  • Remember that a doctor can refer to anyone who holds a doctorate degree, not just in medicine.
  • A physician specifically refers to a medical doctor who practices medicine, especially one who specializes in internal medicine.
  • Think of physician as a term commonly used to describe medical professionals rather than other types of doctors.
  • While all physicians are doctors, not all doctors are physicians.
  • The term doctor is broader and can include both PhD holders and medical doctors.
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