# DOC

/ˈdɑk/ (US) · /dˈɒk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/doc
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a doctor

noun · CEFR A2 · Informal

an informal name for a medical doctor.

For teachers: an informal clipping for a physician or medical doctor.

- I need to see the doc about this pain in my shoulder.
- The doc suggested a follow-up appointment next month to monitor the patient's recovery progress.

### 2. a document

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal · Technical

a short way to say 'document', often used for computer files or legal papers.

For teachers: a clipping for a document, frequently occurring in technical, legal, or computing contexts.

- Can you send me the doc so I can read the instructions?
- The legal team spent the entire weekend reviewing the docs before the trial began on Monday.

### 3. a documentary

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a short way to say 'documentary' — a film or show about real facts.

For teachers: an informal clipping for a documentary film or television programme.

- We watched a fascinating doc about life in the deep ocean.
- The streaming service recently released a three-part doc exploring the history of jazz in New Orleans.

### 4. Doc Martens

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · British English

a popular brand of heavy leather boots.

For teachers: a colloquial clipping for Doc Martens, a brand of sturdy leather footwear.

- She wore her new docs with a floral dress for a cool look.
- The subculture was easily identified by their signature style of worn-in docs and oversized denim jackets.

### 5. Department of Corrections

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Technical

Stands for Department of Corrections.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Department of Corrections; the government agency responsible for prisons.

- He worked for the DOC as a prison guard for twenty years.
- The DOC issued a statement regarding the new rehabilitation programmes being implemented across state facilities.

### 6. wine classification

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a label on Italian or Spanish wine that proves it is high quality.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Denominazione di Origine Controllata; a quality assurance label for European agricultural products, especially wine.

- This bottle has the DOC seal, so it should be a good wine.
- The sommelier explained that the DOC designation ensures the grapes were grown and processed within a specific geographic region.

## Examples

- What's the news, doc?
- He decided to visit the doc after his cough didn't go away for a week.
- While the formal title is preferred in clinical reports, many patients refer to their long-term family physician as 'doc' to signal a sense of trust and familiarity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.