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doctoral

doctoral

24 6.3
About the highest university degree like a PhD or a person who has it
  • adjective
  • /ˈdɑktərəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : doctoral
  • So I did my doctoral research on brain mechanisms of dreaming because that's the subjective aspect of sleep.
  • doctoral dissertation
  • doctoral program
  • doctoral student

And so I still am reaping benefits from my undergraduate and doctoral program.

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Examples

  • President, first I have the honor to recognize all those who have completed the requirements for master's and doctoral degrees.

  • My sister's writing her doctoral thesis on it, so he also wrote a bit about World War One.

  • I start Monday to start my doctoral program and understand this.

  • You should know that I was once a candidate for a doctoral degree in a great European university.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • I maintained my theatrical interests when I went to Cambridge for my doctoral research.

  • Maybe she can help you with your doctoral thesis since uncle Arthur is out of the question.

  • I wouldn't have been able to finish my doctoral degree otherwise.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Then, in 1972... you returned to the University of Michigan... to enter the doctoral program in psychology.

  • I read your doctoral thesis, An Observational History of a Juvenile Great White Shark.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • She is currently working on her doctoral thesis in environmental science.

Synonyms

doctorial
vsdoctoral
  • Specialized
8.0

Relating to study for the highest university degree

is the standard spelling used for academic degree related adjectives

Compounds

doctoral dissertation
  • Specialized
3 7.0

A long formal research paper a student writes to get a doctoral degree at university

How Advanced

postdoctoral
  • Specialized
6 6.7
doctoral
  • Specialized
24 6.3
graduate
  • US
1 5.3

Surface Forms

doctoral positive

Morphology

doctoral = doctor (transparent) = doctor + al

This is a regular adjective formed from the base noun 'doctor' with the suffix '-al', and the meaning 'relating to a doctorate' is readily recoverable.

Etymology

The word doctoral comes from doctor, which comes from the Latin docere meaning 'to teach'. A doctorate was originally the highest degree given to teachers, so doctoral describes something or someone connected to that top teaching degree.