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Commonly Confused Words
Doctor/Physician
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Doctor vs. Physician
Doctor
/ˈdɒktə/
Learn more about synonyms and antonyms
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:
physician
medic
surgeon
specialist
Antonyms:
This word has no antonyms
Learn more about synonyms and antonyms
Physician
/fəˈzɪʃən/
Learn more about synonyms and antonyms
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:
doctor
medic
Antonyms:
This word has no antonyms
Learn more about synonyms and antonyms
Ways to tell them apart:
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.
When to use doctor:
When to use physician:
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