Doctor vs. Professor: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 5, 2023
Doctor typically refers to a medical practitioner or a Ph.D. holder, while a Professor is an academic teaching position at a college or university.
Key Differences
The term "Doctor," in a broad sense, usually pertains to an individual who has achieved the highest academic degree in a particular field, which is often a doctorate, or it may refer to a medical practitioner. Alternatively, a "Professor" is an educational professional, typically found in a college or university setting, tasked with teaching students and often involved in academic research. While both doctors and professors might exist within academic settings, their roles and prerequisites can be distinctly varied.
Doctor is a versatile term that applies broadly across various sectors and isn’t restricted to academia alone. Medical doctors, for instance, diagnose and treat patients, focusing on maintaining or restoring human health through the practice of medicine. Conversely, professors are deeply embedded within the educational structure, delivering lectures, guiding research, and often participating in academic administrative responsibilities. A professor might also be a doctor if they hold a doctoral degree, but not all professors necessarily have a doctorate.
In a more specialized context, a "Doctor" might refer to an individual who has earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree or related doctorate in a specific field and might be involved in high-level research, scholarly writing, or other expert endeavors in their subject matter. Meanwhile, a Professor does not necessarily have to have a doctoral degree, depending on institutional or regional requirements, and might have achieved their position through a combination of education and experience. In this aspect, the term doctor connotes a level of educational attainment, while professor signifies a particular occupational role.
Regarding recognition and address, it is common to refer to someone with a doctorate, whether in academia or not, as “Doctor.” This recognition acknowledges their significant achievements in education and research. On the flip side, a Professor might be addressed as such due to their role in an educational institution, regardless of whether they possess a doctorate. It’s notable that both terms, Doctor and Professor, confer a level of respect and acknowledge a person’s expertise or role in their respective fields.
In specific professional and social contexts, understanding the nuanced differences between a Doctor and a Professor is crucial for accurate communication. A professor might spend more time lecturing, creating curriculums, and grading papers, while a doctor in a non-academic context, especially in medicine, may spend their time diagnosing illnesses or conducting surgeries. It’s crucial to note that while all doctors (PhD holders) in academia might teach, not all professors might have a doctorate, illustrating the specific dichotomies and overlaps between the two titles.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Role
Diagnoses and treats patients or holds a Ph.D.
Teaches at a higher education institution
Education Required
Medical degree or Ph.D. in a field
Generally requires a Ph.D.
Work Setting
Hospital, clinic, or academia
University or college
Title Usage
Used more broadly in various contexts
Primarily used in academic contexts
Professional Scope
May not involve teaching
Involves teaching and possibly research
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Doctor and Professor Definitions
Doctor
A licensed individual who practices medicine.
The doctor prescribed medication for my cold.
Professor
A seasoned advisor and guide in academic pursuits.
As a mentor, the professor guided many students through their theses.
Doctor
Informally, a person who fixes specified things.
He is known as the doctor of old cars.
Professor
A faculty member of a college or university who imparts knowledge.
The professor delivered a compelling lecture on sociology.
Doctor
A person who provides specialized guidance or advice.
She was a doctor of financial planning and investments.
Professor
A person involved in scholarly investigation and inquiry.
The professor published a paper on the effects of climate change.
Doctor
In music, a person who leads a musical group.
The doctor skillfully guided the orchestra through the symphony.
Professor
A position title reflecting seniority or achievement in academia.
After years of research, she was promoted to full professor.
Doctor
A person who is licensed to practice medicine and has trained at a school of medicine or a school of osteopathic medicine; a physician.
Professor
An individual who may give talks or lectures on specialized topics.
The professor gave a captivating talk at the science conference.
Doctor
Any of certain other healthcare professionals, such as a dentist, optometrist, chiropractor, podiatrist, or veterinarian.
Professor
A college or university teacher who ranks above an associate professor.
Doctor
A practitioner of alternative medicine or folk medicine who does not have traditional medical credentials.
Professor
A teacher or instructor.
Doctor
A person who has earned the highest academic degree, usually a PhD, awarded by a college or university in a specified discipline.
Professor
One who professes.
Doctor
A person awarded an honorary degree by a college or university.
Professor
The most senior rank for an academic at a university or similar institution, informally also known as "full professor."
Doctor
Abbr. Dr. Used as a title and form of address for a person holding the degree of doctor.
Professor
A teacher or faculty member at a college or university regardless of formal rank.
Doctor
Roman Catholic Church An eminent theologian.
Professor
(archaic) One who professes something, such as a religious doctrine.
Doctor
A rig or device contrived for remedying an emergency situation or for doing a special task.
Professor
A pianist in a saloon, brothel, etc.
Doctor
(Informal) To give medical treatment to
"[He] does more than practice medicine. He doctors people. There's a difference" (Charles Kuralt).
Professor
The puppeteer who performs a Punch and Judy show; a Punchman.
Doctor
To repair, especially in a makeshift manner; rig.
Professor
One who professed, or makes open declaration of, his sentiments or opinions; especially, one who makes a public avowal of his belief in the Scriptures and his faith in Christ, and thus unites himself to the visible church.
Doctor
To falsify or change in such a way as to make favorable to oneself
Doctored the evidence.
Professor
One who professed, or publicly teaches, any science or branch of learning; especially, an officer in a university, college, or other seminary, whose business it is to read lectures, or instruct students, in a particular branch of learning; as a professor of theology, of botany, of mathematics, or of political economy.
Doctor
To add ingredients so as to improve or conceal the taste, appearance, or quality of
Doctor the soup with a dash of sherry.
Professor
Someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
Doctor
To alter or modify for a specific end
Doctored my standard speech for the small-town audience.
Doctor
(Baseball) To deface or apply a substance to (the ball) in violation of the rules in order to throw a pitch with extraordinary movement
Was ejected because he doctored the ball with a piece of sandpaper.
Doctor
To practice medicine.
Doctor
A physician; a member of the medical profession; one who is trained and licensed to heal the sick or injured. The final examination and qualification may award a doctor degree in which case the post-nominal letters are D.O., DPM, M.D., DMD, DDS, in the US or MBBS in the UK.
If you still feel unwell tomorrow, see your doctor.
Doctor
A person who has attained a doctorate, such as a Ph.D. or Th.D. or one of many other terminal degrees conferred by a college or university.
Doctor
A veterinarian; a medical practitioner who treats non-human animals.
Doctor
A nickname for a person who has special knowledge or talents to manipulate or arrange transactions.
Doctor
(obsolete) A teacher; one skilled in a profession or a branch of knowledge; a learned man.
Doctor
(dated) Any mechanical contrivance intended to remedy a difficulty or serve some purpose in an exigency.
The doctor of a calico-printing machine, which is a knife to remove superfluous colouring matter
The doctor, or auxiliary engine, also called "donkey engine"
Doctor
A fish, the friar skate.
Doctor
A ship's cook.
Doctor
(transitive) To act as a medical doctor to.
Her children doctored her back to health.
Doctor
To act as a medical doctor.
Doctor
(transitive) To make (someone) into an (academic) doctor; to confer a doctorate upon.
Doctor
(transitive) To physically alter (medically or surgically) a living being in order to change growth or behavior.
They doctored their apple trees by vigorous pruning, and now the dwarfed trees are easier to pick.
We may legally doctor a pet to reduce its libido.
Doctor
(transitive) To genetically alter an extant species.
Mendel's discoveries showed how the evolution of a species may be doctored.
Doctor
(transitive) To alter or make obscure, as with the intention to deceive, especially a document.
To doctor the signature of an instrument with intent to defraud is an example of forgery.
Doctor
(transitive) To adulterate, drug, or poison (drink).
Doctor
To take medicine.
Doctor
A teacher; one skilled in a profession, or branch of knowledge; a learned man.
One of the doctors of Italy, Nicholas Macciavel.
Doctor
An academical title, originally meaning a man so well versed in his department as to be qualified to teach it. Hence: One who has taken the highest degree conferred by a university or college, or has received a diploma of the highest degree; as, a doctor of divinity, of law, of medicine, of music, or of philosophy. Such diplomas may confer an honorary title only.
Doctor
One duly licensed to practice medicine; a member of the medical profession; a physician.
By medicine life may be prolonged, yet deathWill seize the doctor too.
Doctor
Any mechanical contrivance intended to remedy a difficulty or serve some purpose in an exigency; as, the doctor of a calico-printing machine, which is a knife to remove superfluous coloring matter; the doctor, or auxiliary engine, called also donkey engine.
Doctor
The friar skate.
Doctor
To treat as a physician does; to apply remedies to; to repair; as, to doctor a sick man or a broken cart.
Doctor
To confer a doctorate upon; to make a doctor.
Doctor
To tamper with and arrange for one's own purposes; to falsify; to adulterate; as, to doctor election returns; to doctor whisky.
Doctor
To practice physic.
Doctor
A licensed medical practitioner;
I felt so bad I went to see my doctor
Doctor
(Roman Catholic Church) a title conferred on 33 saints who distinguished themselves through the othodoxy of their theological teaching;
The Doctors of the Church greatly influenced Christian thought down to the late Middle Ages
Doctor
Children take the roles of doctor or patient or nurse and pretend they are at the doctor's office;
The children explored each other's bodies by playing the game of doctor
Doctor
A person who holds Ph.D. degree from an academic institution;
She is a doctor of philosophy in physics
Doctor
Alter and make impure, as with the intention to deceive;
Sophisticate rose water with geraniol
Doctor
Give medical treatment to
Doctor
Restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken;
She repaired her TV set
Repair my shoes please
Doctor
A person who has earned the highest academic degree.
The doctor wrote a groundbreaking thesis on quantum physics.
FAQs
Is it proper to call a Ph.D. holder a Professor?
Not necessarily. A Ph.D. holder can be called a "Doctor," but they are only a "Professor" if they hold such a position at an institution.
Is a Doctor always a medical practitioner?
No, a "Doctor" could refer to a medical professional or someone with a Ph.D. degree.
Are all Professors Doctors?
Often, but not always. Many Professors hold a Ph.D., but it's not a universal rule.
Can a Professor practice medicine?
Generally, no, unless the Professor also holds a medical degree.
Can a Doctor teach at a university?
Yes, Doctors (Ph.D. holders) often teach at universities, and may or may not hold the title of Professor.
Which is higher: Professor or Doctor?
Neither. "Professor" indicates a career or role in academia, while "Doctor" refers to a level of educational attainment or a medical profession.
Are Doctors always involved in research?
Not necessarily, some Doctors, especially in medicine, may focus more on practice than research.
Do all Doctors write a thesis or dissertation?
Typically yes, especially if referring to Ph.D. holders.
Can “Doctor” refer to a person in non-medical fields?
Yes, "Doctor" can refer to Ph.D. holders in various academic disciplines.
Can "Professor" be used as a title outside academia?
Rarely in formal settings, though it’s sometimes used informally to jest or show respect for someone’s expertise.
Is a Professor’s role always academic in nature?
Generally, yes, as the role involves teaching and/or research in an academic setting.
Can Professors diagnose medical conditions like Doctors?
No, unless the Professor also has a medical degree and relevant licensing.
Is a medical degree required to be a Professor in medicine?
Not always. A Professor of medicine may have a different advanced degree related to their specialty or research focus.
Do Professors always teach?
Most do, but some Professors may focus primarily on research.
What does a Doctor of Philosophy do?
A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) may work in various fields, such as academia, research, consulting, etc., depending on their area of expertise.
What is an Associate Professor?
An Associate Professor is typically a mid-level, potentially tenured, academic position at a college or university.
Can a Doctor be a Professor simultaneously?
Yes, a Doctor (Ph.D. holder) can also be a Professor if they teach at a university.
Is tenure related to being a Professor or a Doctor?
Tenure is associated with the role of a Professor, indicating a permanent position.
Does a Doctorate always lead to a position as a Professor?
No, individuals with a Doctorate may work in various roles and industries.
Do Doctors and Professors earn similarly?
Earnings vary widely based on field, country, institution, specialization, and other factors, with no general rule applicable to all Doctors and Professors.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
