What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
clinician
Example
The clinician examined the patient's symptoms and made a diagnosis. [clinician: noun]
Example
She is a skilled clinician who specializes in pediatric medicine. [clinician: noun]
doctor
Example
I went to see the doctor for a check-up. [doctor: noun]
Example
He is studying to become a doctor and hopes to work in a hospital. [doctor: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Doctor is a more commonly used term than clinician in everyday language. Doctor is widely recognized and understood by most people, while clinician may be less familiar to some individuals.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between clinician and doctor?
While clinician is a formal term commonly used in medical settings, doctor is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Doctor is also more commonly used in general conversations and is the preferred term when referring to a medical professional.