Yes. If someone has a PhD, they are technically a doctor and are entitled to use the title “Dr.” before their name.

What “doctor” actually means

  • The word “doctor” comes from the Latin docere , meaning “to teach,” and historically referred to someone who had completed the highest level of study in a field.
  • A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is a doctoral‑level research degree , so anyone who completes one has earned the academic title “Doctor.”

PhD vs. medical doctor

  • A medical doctor (MD) is a clinician who diagnoses and treats patients; they also hold a doctoral‑level degree but in medicine.
  • A PhD holder is usually a researcher or academic who does not practice medicine, even though they can still be called “Dr.”

How people actually use the title

  • In many academic and professional settings, PhD‑holders are addressed as “Dr. Lastname,” especially in universities, research labs, or formal correspondence.
  • In some countries and media outlets, “Dr.” is often reserved in everyday use for medical doctors, while PhDs may be introduced with “Dr.” only in academic contexts or with a note like “Dr. Jane Smith, PhD.”

Quick takeaway table

Situation| Can they be called “doctor”?| Notes
---|---|---
Academic setting (university, research)| Yes| Common and expected to use “Dr.” 35
Social or casual setting| Often yes, but optional| Some PhDs prefer first name only. 310
Medical context (hospital, clinic)| Technically yes, but…| Should not imply they are a medical doctor or treat patients. 38

So: if someone has a PhD, they are a doctor , just not necessarily a medical one.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.