doctor
- 01 A1 Beginner
n.a person who is trained and licensed to treat people who are ill or injured.
n.a qualified practitioner of medicine; a physician or surgeon.
Simple“If your cough does not get better, you should see a doctor.”
In context“The resident doctor performed a thorough examination before referring the patient to a specialist for further diagnostic testing.”
PitfallI need to go to the doctor. I need to go to the doctor's.When referring to the place where a doctor works, use 'the doctor's' or 'the doctor's office'.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
n.a person who has the highest level of degree from a university, like a PhD.
n.a person who has been awarded a doctorate, the highest academic degree conferred by a university.
Simple“She is a doctor of history and teaches at the local university.”
In context“After five years of rigorous research and a successful thesis defense, he was finally entitled to call himself a doctor of philosophy.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
v.to add something, like a drug or a strong chemical, to food or drink without someone knowing.
v.to adulterate or contaminate food or drink by adding a foreign substance, often a drug.
Simple“He realized his coffee had been doctored when he started feeling very sleepy.”
In context“The athlete claimed that a rival had doctored his water bottle with a prohibited substance to trigger a positive drug test.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
n.an old name for a cook on a ship.
n.a traditional nautical nickname for a ship's cook.
Simple“In the old story, the sailors complained to the doctor about the salty soup.”
In context“Life aboard a nineteenth-century merchant vessel was harsh, and the men often directed their frustrations toward the doctor when rations grew thin.”
Synonyms
Usage doctors committee