1. Educational Degree:
- Doctor: "Doctor" often refers to a person who holds a doctorate degree, which is the highest academic degree awarded in various fields, such as medicine (MD or DO), law (JD), philosophy (PhD), and so on.
- Doctorate: A doctorate is an academic degree denoting the completion of advanced studies and research in a particular field. It signifies expertise and advanced knowledge beyond a bachelor's or master's degree.
2. Medical Practitioners:
- Doctor: In the medical field, "doctor" is commonly used as a formal title for healthcare professionals, including physicians (medical doctors), dentists, veterinarians, optometrists, pharmacists, and more.
- Doctorate: In the medical context, obtaining a doctorate degree (such as MD, DO, or DVM) is typically required for medical practitioners.
3. Honorary Degrees:
- Doctor: Honorary doctorates (like Doctor of Humanities, LL.D, etc.) are awarded to individuals who have achieved exceptional accomplishments or made significant contributions to their field without requiring formal coursework.
- Doctorate: Honorary doctorates acknowledge outstanding achievement but do not necessarily imply the same level of academic rigour and research as traditional doctorate degrees.
4. General Use:
- Doctor: In everyday conversation, "doctor" can be used as a respectful title or term of address for healthcare providers, scholars, professors, and sometimes individuals with high achievements or expertise.
- Doctorate: The term "doctorate" is usually reserved for academic contexts or discussions about educational attainment. It is not as broadly used in general conversations.
In summary, "doctor" is a broader term used as a title or form of address for individuals who hold a doctorate degree or are medical professionals. "Doctorate" specifically refers to the academic degree, indicating the highest level of scholarship and advanced research in a particular field.