Doctor vs. Professor: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Primary Role
Diagnoses and treats patients or holds a Ph.D.
Teaches at a higher education institution
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
Education Required
Medical degree or Ph.D. in a field
Generally requires a Ph.D.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
Title Usage
Used more broadly in various contexts
Primarily used in academic contexts
Harlon Moss
Oct 04, 2023
Professional Scope
May not involve teaching
Involves teaching and possibly research
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
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Doctor and Professor Definitions
Doctor
A licensed individual who practices medicine.
The doctor prescribed medication for my cold.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
Professor
A seasoned advisor and guide in academic pursuits.
As a mentor, the professor guided many students through their theses.
Harlon Moss
Oct 04, 2023
Doctor
Informally, a person who fixes specified things.
He is known as the doctor of old cars.
Sara Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Professor
A faculty member of a college or university who imparts knowledge.
The professor delivered a compelling lecture on sociology.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
Doctor
A person who provides specialized guidance or advice.
She was a doctor of financial planning and investments.
Harlon Moss
Oct 04, 2023
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Professor
A person involved in scholarly investigation and inquiry.
The professor published a paper on the effects of climate change.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
Doctor
In music, a person who leads a musical group.
The doctor skillfully guided the orchestra through the symphony.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
Professor
A position title reflecting seniority or achievement in academia.
After years of research, she was promoted to full professor.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Professor
An individual who may give talks or lectures on specialized topics.
The professor gave a captivating talk at the science conference.
Janet White
Oct 04, 2023
Doctor
Any of certain other healthcare professionals, such as a dentist, optometrist, chiropractor, podiatrist, or veterinarian.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Professor
A college or university teacher who ranks above an associate professor.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
A practitioner of alternative medicine or folk medicine who does not have traditional medical credentials.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
A person who has earned the highest academic degree, usually a PhD, awarded by a college or university in a specified discipline.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Professor
The most senior rank for an academic at a university or similar institution, informally also known as "full professor."
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
Abbr. Dr. Used as a title and form of address for a person holding the degree of doctor.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Professor
A teacher or faculty member at a college or university regardless of formal rank.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Professor
(archaic) One who professes something, such as a religious doctrine.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
A rig or device contrived for remedying an emergency situation or for doing a special task.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
(Informal) To give medical treatment to
"[He] does more than practice medicine. He doctors people. There's a difference" (Charles Kuralt).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
To falsify or change in such a way as to make favorable to oneself
Doctored the evidence.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
To add ingredients so as to improve or conceal the taste, appearance, or quality of
Doctor the soup with a dash of sherry.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
To alter or modify for a specific end
Doctored my standard speech for the small-town audience.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
A nickname for a person who has special knowledge or talents to manipulate or arrange transactions.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
(obsolete) A teacher; one skilled in a profession or a branch of knowledge; a learned man.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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"
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
(transitive) To act as a medical doctor to.
Her children doctored her back to health.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
(transitive) To make (someone) into an (academic) doctor; to confer a doctorate upon.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
(transitive) To genetically alter an extant species.
Mendel's discoveries showed how the evolution of a species may be doctored.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
A teacher; one skilled in a profession, or branch of knowledge; a learned man.
One of the doctors of Italy, Nicholas Macciavel.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
To treat as a physician does; to apply remedies to; to repair; as, to doctor a sick man or a broken cart.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
To tamper with and arrange for one's own purposes; to falsify; to adulterate; as, to doctor election returns; to doctor whisky.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
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
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
A person who holds Ph.D. degree from an academic institution;
She is a doctor of philosophy in physics
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
Alter and make impure, as with the intention to deceive;
Sophisticate rose water with geraniol
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
Restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken;
She repaired her TV set
Repair my shoes please
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Doctor
A person who has earned the highest academic degree.
The doctor wrote a groundbreaking thesis on quantum physics.
Janet White
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Harlon Moss
Oct 04, 2023
Is a Doctor always a medical practitioner?
No, a "Doctor" could refer to a medical professional or someone with a Ph.D. degree.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
Are all Professors Doctors?
Often, but not always. Many Professors hold a Ph.D., but it's not a universal rule.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
Can a Professor practice medicine?
Generally, no, unless the Professor also holds a medical degree.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Janet White
Oct 04, 2023
Are Doctors always involved in research?
Not necessarily, some Doctors, especially in medicine, may focus more on practice than research.
Janet White
Oct 04, 2023
Do all Doctors write a thesis or dissertation?
Typically yes, especially if referring to Ph.D. holders.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
Can “Doctor” refer to a person in non-medical fields?
Yes, "Doctor" can refer to Ph.D. holders in various academic disciplines.
Sara Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Harlon Moss
Oct 04, 2023
Is a Professor’s role always academic in nature?
Generally, yes, as the role involves teaching and/or research in an academic setting.
Harlon Moss
Oct 04, 2023
Can Professors diagnose medical conditions like Doctors?
No, unless the Professor also has a medical degree and relevant licensing.
Janet White
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
Do Professors always teach?
Most do, but some Professors may focus primarily on research.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
What is an Associate Professor?
An Associate Professor is typically a mid-level, potentially tenured, academic position at a college or university.
Sara Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Can a Doctor be a Professor simultaneously?
Yes, a Doctor (Ph.D. holder) can also be a Professor if they teach at a university.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 04, 2023
Is tenure related to being a Professor or a Doctor?
Tenure is associated with the role of a Professor, indicating a permanent position.
Harlon Moss
Oct 04, 2023
Does a Doctorate always lead to a position as a Professor?
No, individuals with a Doctorate may work in various roles and industries.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 04, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
