Reading Theme:
Doctor Meaning, Examples, and Common Usage (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：medical professional (doctor)
doctor
/ˈdɒktər/
n.
A person whose job is to treat people who are ill or injured.
medical professional
➕
/ˈmɛdɪkəl prəˈfɛʃənl/
n.
A person who is qualified to treat people who are ill or injured, usually holding a medical degree.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'docere' (to teach) + '-tor' (one who), originally meaning 'teacher'.
💡 Mnemonic
A doctor 'docts' (teaches) you how to heal. Or: 'Doc' + 'tor' = one who teaches about health.
📖 Example
After the long hike, my knee started to hurt, so I decided to see a doctor to make sure it was okay.
After the long hike, my knee started to hurt, so I decided to see a doctor to make sure it was okay.
🔗 Collocations
see a doctor – to visit a doctor for a medical check-up or treatment
doctor's appointment – a scheduled meeting with a doctor
family doctor – a general practitioner who treats a family's members over time
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
patient (n.) – A person receiving medical treatment from a doctor
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'doctor' originally meant 'teacher' in Latin. In medieval Europe, it was used for scholars, and by the 16th century, it became specialized for medical practitioners due to their learned status.
Meaning 2：holder of a doctorate (doctor)
doctor
/ˈdɒktər/
n.
The highest level of university degree, or a person who holds this degree.
holder of a doctorate
➕
/ˈhoʊldər əv ə ˈdɒktərɪt/
n.
A person who has earned the highest level of university degree (e.g., PhD, EdD), or the degree itself.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
My aunt spent six years researching ancient music and finally earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree last year.
My aunt spent six years researching ancient music and finally earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree last year.
🔗 Collocations
doctorate degree – the highest academic degree awarded by a university
doctoral student – a student who is studying for a doctorate
honorary doctor – a person awarded an honorary doctorate without completing the usual requirements
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
undergraduate (n.) – A student who has not yet earned a bachelor's degree
Meaning 3：falsify or tamper with (doctor)
doctor
/ˈdɒktər/
n.
To change a document, picture, etc. in order to trick people or make it look better.
falsify or tamper with
➕
/ˈfɔːlsɪfaɪ ɔːr ˈtæmpər wɪð/
n.
To change a document, picture, or record dishonestly in order to deceive others or improve its appearance.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The politician was accused of trying to doctor the official reports to hide the real cost of the project.
The politician was accused of trying to doctor the official reports to hide the real cost of the project.
🔗 Collocations
doctor the numbers – to falsify numerical data
doctor a photo – to alter a photograph using software
doctor a document – to change a written record dishonestly
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
authenticate (v.) – To prove that something is genuine or valid
correct (v.) – To fix errors honestly and transparently
🌱 Derivatives
doctored (adj.) – Altered dishonestly, e.g., doctored evidence
doctoring (v.) – The act of making fraudulent alterations
doctorable (adj.) – Capable of being altered fraudulently (rare)
Wordbook
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