Doctor vs. Professor — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 26, 2023
A Doctor typically refers to a medical professional or someone with a PhD, while a Professor is an academic teacher in a college or university.
Difference Between Doctor and Professor
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Doctor is a title signifying expertise, either as a medical professional treating illnesses or as an academic having achieved the highest degree in a particular field, usually a PhD. Professor, meanwhile, is a title for someone who teaches at a college or university and often conducts research.
A Doctor in the medical field is concerned with diagnosing and treating patients, utilizing years of medical training and practice. A Professor's main role is to educate students, develop course material, and often contribute to their academic field through research.
Doctor can also be a title for someone who has achieved a doctorate in fields other than medicine, such as literature, science, or humanities. While some Professors may hold doctorate degrees, the title "Professor" is more about their position in the educational institution than their degree.
Comparison Chart
Primary Role
Treats patients or holds a PhD.
Teaches at a college or university.
Training
Medical school or doctoral program.
Advanced degrees, often a PhD.
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Title
Professional or academic expertise.
Academic rank in an institution.
Context
Medical or scholarly depending on usage.
Strictly academic or educational.
Degrees
MD, DO, PhD, etc.
Not specifically tied to a degree.
Compare with Definitions
Doctor
A Doctor is a medical professional.
The Doctor prescribed me some medications for my cold.
Professor
A Professor might mentor students in their academic pursuits.
I'm meeting the Professor to discuss my thesis.
Doctor
A Doctor diagnoses and treats patients.
I have an appointment with the Doctor next week.
Professor
Professor often indicates a specific rank in academia.
She was promoted to full Professor last year.
Doctor
A Doctor practices in various medical specialties.
She's an excellent Doctor in pediatric care.
Professor
Professors usually hold advanced degrees.
The Professor has a PhD in Ancient History.
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
Professor (commonly abbreviated as Prof.) is an academic rank at universities and other post-secondary education and research institutions in most countries. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes".
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.
Professor
A Professor is an academic teacher at a higher education institution.
Professor Johnson teaches my chemistry class.
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.
Professor
Professors contribute to research in their field.
Professor Green's research has been groundbreaking.
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
Doctor refers to someone with a doctoral degree.
She became a Doctor of Philosophy last year.
Doctor
Doctor can be a title of respect in academic circles.
Doctor Smith is presenting her research today.
Common Curiosities
What's the main role of a Professor?
A Professor's main role is to educate students and conduct research in a college or university.
Are all university teachers called Professors?
No, Professor is a specific academic rank; others might be lecturers, instructors, or adjuncts.
Can a Professor be a Doctor too?
Yes, many Professors hold doctorate degrees and can be addressed as "Doctor."
What does Doctor mean in a university setting?
In a university, a Doctor typically refers to someone with a doctorate degree, like a PhD.
What does PhD stand for?
PhD stands for "Doctor of Philosophy," a type of doctorate degree.
How long does it take to become a Professor?
The time varies, but it typically involves years of study, achieving advanced degrees, and gaining experience in teaching and research.
How do you become a Doctor in medicine?
To become a medical Doctor, one typically completes medical school and residency.
How does a medical Doctor differ from other Doctors?
A medical Doctor diagnoses and treats patients, while other Doctors might have expertise in non-medical fields.
Can someone be called a Professor without a PhD?
Yes, while many Professors have PhDs, the title is about academic rank, not just the degree.
Is a Professor's role only to teach?
No, Professors often teach, mentor students, and conduct research in their field.
What's the difference between an MD and a DO?
Both MD (Doctor of Medicine) and DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) are medical degrees, but they approach care slightly differently.
Which is higher, an Associate Professor or Assistant Professor?
An Associate Professor rank is higher than an Assistant Professor.
Are Professors always involved in research?
While many Professors conduct research, it depends on their role, institution, and field of expertise.
Is every person with a doctorate called a Doctor?
Yes, typically someone with a doctorate degree can be addressed as "Doctor."
Do all Doctors practice in hospitals?
No, Doctors can practice in various settings, including clinics, private practices, and research facilities.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
