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Synonyms for Phd
104 other terms for phd - words and phrases with similar meaning.
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PhD synonyms
What is another word for phd .
- doctorate academic degree of highest rank
- doctor academic degree of highest rank, pursuit
- advanced degree
- doctoral degree
- postgrad degree
- postgraduate degree academic degree of highest rank
- recipient pursuit
- grad pursuit
- alum pursuit
- alumnus pursuit
- degree college degree
- graduate degree college degree
- undergraduate degree college degree
- baccalaureate
- former student
- associate degree
- academic degree
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What is another word for PHD ?
Synonyms for phd phd, this thesaurus page includes all potential synonyms, words with the same meaning and similar terms for the word phd ., princeton's wordnet.
Ph.D., PhD noun
a doctorate usually based on at least 3 years graduate study and a dissertation; the highest degree awarded graduate study
Matched Categories
- Doctor Of Philosophy
PPDB, the paraphrase database Rate these paraphrases: 0.0 / 0 votes
List of paraphrases for "phd":
ph.d. , doctoral , doctorate , ph.d , doctorat , ph. , doctor , dr. , d.phil.
Nicknames Rate these nicknames: 0.0 / 0 votes
List of known nicknames for "PHD":
PH.D... , Patrick Joseph Henry , Patrick Henry , P. Henry
Concise Medical Dictionary, by Joseph C Segen, MD Rate these synonyms: 0.0 / 0 votes
Synonyms: Doctor of Philosophy, doctorate in Philosophy, Philosophiae Doctor
Synonyms: PhD
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Song lyrics by phd -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by phd on the Lyrics.com website.
What does PHD stand for? -- Explore the various meanings for the PHD acronym on the Abbreviations.com website.
How to pronounce PHD?
How to say phd in sign language, usage in printed sources from: .
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How to use PHD in a sentence?
Janet Dafoe :
I got a PhD. That was hard, i've climbed mountains. That was hard.
Uptown Volcoyandrama :
From the word go have an hustler course success doesn't need a PhD
D Duane Steward PhD :
The ultimate lesson to prohibition is two-fold. Watch out for solutions that end up worse than the problems they set out to solve, and remember the Constitution is no place for experiments, noble or otherwise.” – D. Duane Steward, PhD
Lauren Gardner :
He's gotten to play some pretty major roles in some really central problems to the society for someone that's six months into a degree program, i keep telling him that he needs to not get used to this and it's not normal. And [ that ] the rest of his PhD experience is going to be really boring, but I don't think he believes me.
Elizabeth Turner :
I serendipitously came across a few very rare examples of the material during my unrelated PhD research, long ago, on fossil microbial reefs, when I became a professor and had my own grants, I was able to return to the field sites and collect more material so that I had a more robust collection to work from.
Visual Synonyms of PHD
Translations for phd, from our multilingual translation dictionary.
- دكتوراه Arabic
- phd Spanish
- دکترا Persian
- पीएचडी Hindi
- இளநிலை Tamil
- doktora Turkish
- پی ایچ ڈی Urdu
- 博士学位 Chinese
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Other forms: doctorates
A doctorate is an advanced university degree. Another name for a doctorate is a PhD . If you stick in school long enough, you just might end up with a doctorate (and a whole lot of debt).
Many years of specialized study can result in a doctorate, which qualifies the graduate to teach at a college or university. To be awarded a doctorate, a student has to complete a dissertation or thesis, a huge research project that focuses on her area of study. Someone who has a doctorate is known as a "Doctor of Philosophy," and the word itself comes from the Medieval Latin root doctoratus , or "made a doctor."
- noun one of the highest earned academic degrees conferred by a university synonyms: doctor's degree see more see less types: show 16 types... hide 16 types... DMD , Doctor of Dental Medicine a doctor's degree in dental medicine DDS , Doctor of Dental Surgery a doctor's degree in dental surgery DD , Doctor of Divinity a doctor's degree in religion DEd , Doctor of Education , EdD a doctor's degree in education Doctor of Medicine , MD a doctor's degree in medicine DMus , Doctor of Music , MusD a doctor's degree in music AMusD , Doctor of Musical Arts a doctor's degree in musical arts Doctor of Optometry , OD a doctor's degree in optometry DO , Doctor of Osteopathy doctor's degree in osteopathy D.A. , Doctor of Arts a doctor's degree with a special disciplinary focus Doctor of Philosophy a doctorate awarded for original contributions to knowledge DPH , Doctor of Public Health a doctor's degree in preventive medicine Doctor of Theology , ThD a doctor's degree in theology Doctor of Sacred Theology , STD a doctor's degree in theology Ph.D. , PhD a doctorate usually based on at least 3 years graduate study and a dissertation; the highest degree awarded graduate study DPhil a British doctorate type of: academic degree , degree an award conferred by a college or university signifying that the recipient has satisfactorily completed a course of study
Vocabulary lists containing doctorate
In the 1940s, two Jewish teenagers from different backgrounds develop a deep friendship as they pursue their ambitions.
Connor's best friend Branwell hasn't said a word since he was accused of seriously injuring his younger sister. Connor is determined to find out what really happened so that Branwell can clear his name.
Marin moved across the country for college to try to escape her past. But when her best friend comes to visit, Marin must finally confront the memories she left behind. Learn key vocabulary from this novel, winner of the 2018 Printz Award.
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Definition of PhD noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
- to do/have/be a PhD
- Anne Thomas, PhD
- acquire/get/lack (an) education/training/ (British English) (some) qualifications
- receive/provide somebody with training/tuition
- develop/design/plan a curriculum/ (especially British English) course/ (North American English) program/syllabus
- give/go to/attend a class/lesson/lecture/seminar
- hold/run/conduct a class/seminar/workshop
- sign up for/take a course/classes/lessons
- go to/start preschool/kindergarten/nursery school
- be in (North American English) the first, second, etc. grade/ (British English) year 1, 2. etc. (at school)
- study/take/drop history/chemistry/German, etc.
- (British English) leave/finish/drop out of/ (North American English) quit school
- (North American English) graduate high school/college
- be the victim/target of bullying
- (British English) play truant from/ (both British English, informal) bunk off/skive off school (= not go to school when you should)
- (both especially North American English) skip/cut class/school
- (British English) cheat in/ (North American English) cheat on an exam/a test
- get/be given a detention (for doing something)
- be expelled from/be suspended from school
- do your homework/ (British English) revision/a project on something
- work on/write/do/submit an essay/a dissertation/a thesis/an assignment/ (North American English) a paper
- finish/complete your dissertation/thesis/studies/coursework
- hand in/ (North American English) turn in your homework/essay/assignment/paper
- study/prepare/ (British English) revise/ (North American English) review/ (North American English, informal) cram for a test/an exam
- take/ (both British English) do/sit a test/an exam
- (especially British English) mark/ (especially North American English) grade homework/a test
- (British English) do well in/ (North American English) do well on/ (especially North American English, informal) ace a test/an exam
- pass/fail/ (especially North American English, informal) flunk a test/an exam/a class/a course/a subject
- apply to/get into/go to/start college/ (British English) university
- leave/graduate from law school/college/ (British English) university (with a degree in computer science)
- study for/take/ (British English) do/complete a law degree/a degree in physics
- (both North American English) major/minor in biology/philosophy
- earn/receive/be awarded/get/have/hold a master’s degree/a bachelor’s degree/a PhD in economics
- dissertation
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abbreviation for
- Doctor of Philosophy AlsoDPhil
Example Sentences
He also bragged about earning a PhD, a point Smerconish did not question.
Even his nametag played up his dweeby nature, labeling him “Mr. Gruber, PhD.”
Throughout her life, she faced public ridicule, legal persecution and, eventually, redemption through a PhD in clinical sexology.
“It is impossible by elections to choose normal people,” argues Yoram Gat, an Israeli software engineer with a PhD in statistics.
The son of Taiwanese immigrants, he grew up in California and earned his PhD in neuroscience at Stanford.
Damn few of them got it from me, I'm happy to say, and those that did, knew more about the subject than most PhD's.
It was a great diversion from the late nights working on my PhD.
- Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
Meaning of PhD in English
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- associate's degree
- baccalaureate
- do a degree
- Doctor of Medicine
- doctorate in something
- Master of Arts
- Master of Science
- Master's degree
- postgraduate
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education
- second degree
- summa cum laude
Ph.D. | American Dictionary
Translations of phd.
Get a quick, free translation!
Word of the Day
a criminal act that results in serious damage or injury, especially murder
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Synonyms of graduate
- as in postgraduate
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Thesaurus Definition of graduate
Synonyms & Similar Words
- postgraduate
- educational
- pedagogical
- professorial
- instructive
- intellectual
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nonacademic
- noneducational
- extracurricular
- noncollegiate
- unscholarly
- cocurricular
Examples of graduate in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'graduate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Graduate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/graduate. Accessed 16 Sep. 2024.
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Nglish: Translation of graduate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of graduate for Arabic Speakers
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- doctoral degree
noun as in postgraduate degree
Weak matches
- advanced degree
- master's
- master's degree
- postgrad degree
Example Sentences
I'm wrapping up a doctoral degree in the physical sciences and heading to an industrial job in a few months.
Related Words
Words related to doctoral degree are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word doctoral degree . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.
noun as in degree after bachelor's
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
What is a PhD?
- Types of Doctorates
- A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest globally recognized postgraduate degree that higher education institutions can award.
- PhDs are awarded to candidates who undertake original and extensive research in a particular field of study.
- Full time PhD programmes typically last three to four years, whilst part time PhD programmes typically last six to seven years.
- A PhD can lead to an academia teaching role or a career in research. A PhD can also equip you with skills suitable for a wide range of jobs unrelated to your research topic or academia.
Definition of a PhD – A Doctor of Philosophy (commonly abbreviated to PhD , Ph.D or a DPhil ) is a university research degree awarded from across a broad range of academic disciplines; in most countries, it is a terminal degree, i.e. the highest academic degree possible.
PhDs differ from undergraduate and master’s degrees in that PhDs are entirely research-based rather than involving taught modules (although doctoral training centres (DTCs) offer programmes that start with a year of lecture-based teaching to help develop your research skills prior to starting your project).
In most English-speaking countries, those that complete a PhD use the title “Doctor” (typically abbreviated to Dr) in front of their names and are referred to as such within academic and/or research settings. Those that work in fields outside of academia may decide not to use the formal doctor title but use post-nominal letters (e.g. John Smith PhD); it’s unusual though for someone to use both the Doctor title and post-nominal letters in their name.
PhD vs Doctorate
A PhD and a professional doctorate are both research-based terminal degrees.
However, where a PhD focuses on original research mostly around theoretical concepts, a professional doctorate focuses on examining existing knowledge to solve real-life, practical problems.
While there is much crossover between the two, a PhD is generally better suited for an individual to wants to advance the knowledge and understanding in their field, and a professional doctorate degree is better suited to a working professional who wants to better be able to apply knowledge and understanding to their field.
What Are the Entry Requirements for a PhD?
To be accepted on to a PhD programme, students usually need to hold at least a high ( 2:1 and above ) undergraduate degree that is related to the field of research that they want to pursue. A PhD candidate may also be expected to hold a Master’s degree , however, this does not mean you must have one, as it is still possible to enrol into a PhD without a Master’s .
Self-funded courses may sometimes be more relaxed in relation to entry requirements . It may be possible to be accepted onto a self-funded PhD programme with lower grades, though these students typically demonstrate their suitability for the role through professional work experience.
Whilst a distance learning project is possible , most PhD candidates will carry out their research over at least three years based at their university, with regular contact with two academic supervisors (primary and secondary). This is particularly the case for lab-based projects, however, some PhD projects require spending time on-site away from university (e.g. at a specialist research lab or at a collaborating institution abroad).
How Long Does a PhD Take?
Typically, full-time PhDs last 3-4 years and part-time PhDs last 6-7 years. However, at the discretion of the university, the thesis writing-up period can be extended by up to four years.
Although most doctoral programmes start in September or October, they are generally much more flexible than taught-courses and can start at any time of the year.
How Much Does a PhD Cost?
Tuition fees for UK and EU students vary between £3,000 and £6,000 per year, with the average tuition fee of £4,712 per year for 2023/24 programmes.
Tuition fees increase considerably for international students, varying between £16,000 to £25,000 per year, with an average tuition fee of £19,600 per year .
Nonetheless, most students will secure PhD funding in the form of studentships, scholarships and bursaries to help pay for these fees. These funding opportunities can either be partial, which cover tuition fees only, or full, which cover both tuition fees and living expenses.
UK national students can also apply for Doctoral Loans from Student Finance England if they are unable to secure funding.
Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.
What Does a PhD Involve?
To be awarded a PhD, a doctoral student is required to produce a substantial body of work that adds new knowledge to their chosen field.
A PhD programme will typically involve four key stages:
Stage 1: Literature Review
The first year of a PhD involves attending regular meetings with your supervisors and carrying out a search on previously published work in your subject area. This search will be used to produce a literature review which should set the context of the project by explaining the foundation of what is currently known within the field of research, what recent developments have occurred, and where the gaps in knowledge are. In most cases, this will be an extension of your research proposal should you have produced one as part of your application. The literature review should conclude by outlining the overarching aims and objectives of the research project. This stage of setting achievable goals which are original and contribute to the field of research is an essential first step in a successful PhD.
The supervisor is the main point of contact through the duration of a PhD – but remember: they are there to mentor, not to teach, or do it for you . It will be your responsibility to plan, execute and monitor your own work as well as to identify gaps in your own knowledge and address them.
Stage 2: Research
The second year (and prehapse some of your third year) is when you work on your research. Having identified novel research questions from your review of the literature, this is where you collect your data to help answer these questions. How you do this will depend on the nature of your doctoral research: for example, you may design and run experiments in a lab alongside other PhD students or visit excavation sites in remote regions of the world. You should check in regularly with your supervisors to update them and run any ideas or issues past them.
Have the structure and chapters of your thesis in mind as you develop and tackle your research questions. Working with a view of publishing your work will be very valuable later on.
Stage 3: Write up of Thesis
The next key stage of a PhD is writing a doctoral thesis , which typically takes from anywhere between three months to one year. A thesis is a substantial body of work that describes the work and outcomes of the research over the previous two to three years. It should tell a detailed story of the PhD project – focusing on:
- The motivations for the research questions identified from the literature review.
- The methodologies used, results obtained, and a comprehensive analysis and discussion of the findings.
- A detailed discussion of the key findings with an emphasis on the original contributions made to your field of research and how this has been impactful.
There is no universal rule for the length of a PhD thesis, but general guidelines set the word count between 80,000 to 100,000 words.
For your thesis to be successful, it needs to adequately defend your argument and provide a unique or increased insight into your field that was not previously available.
Stage 4: Attending the Viva
A viva voce , most commonly referred to as just a ‘ viva ‘, is an interview-style examination where the PhD student is required to engage in a critical appraisal of their work and defend their thesis against at least two examiners. The examiners will ask questions to check the PhD student has an in-depth understanding of the ideas and theories proposed in their thesis, and whether they have developed the research skills that would be expected of them.
The viva is one of the final steps in achieving a PhD, and typically lasts at least two hours, but this duration can vary depending on the examiners, the university and the PhD project itself.
Once you have done the viva – you’re on the home stretch. You will typically be asked to make some amendments to your thesis based on the examiner’s feedback. You are then ready to submit your final thesis for either:
- PhD – If you pass the requirements you will be awarded a PhD degree (most common outcome),
- MPhil – If you failed to meet requirements for a PhD, you may be downgraded to an MPhil degree (uncommon outcome),
- Fail – No award is given, typically for cases of plagiarism (extremely uncommon outcome).
What Is It Like to Undertake a PhD?
We’re often asked what it is like to undertake a PhD study. Unfortunately, this isn’t a simple answer to this question as every research project is different.
To help give insight into the life of a PhD student, we’ve interviewed PhD students at various stages of their programmes and put together a series of PhD Student Interviews . Check out the link to find out what a PhD is like and what advice they have to offer you.
What Are the Benefits of A PhD?
A PhD is the highest globally recognised postgraduate degree that higher education institutions can award. The degree, which is awarded to candidates who demonstrate original and independent research in a particular field of study, is not only invaluable in itself, but sets you up with invaluable skills and traits.
Career Opportunities
First, a PhD prepares you for a career in academia if you wish to continue in this area. This takes form as a career in the Higher Education sector, typically as a lecturer working their way to becoming a professor leading research on the subject you’ve studied and trained in.
Second, a PhD also enables the opportunity for landing a job in a research & development role outside of the academic environment. Examples of this include laboratory work for a private or third sector company, a governmental role and research for commercial and industrial applications.
Transferable Skills
Finally, in possessing a PhD degree, you can show to employers that you have vital skills that make you an asset to any company. Three examples of the transferable skills that you gain through a PhD are effective communication, time management, and report writing.
- Communication – presenting your work in written and oral forms using journal papers and podium presentations, shows your ability to share complex ideas effectively and to those with less background knowledge than you. Communication is key in the professional environment, regardless of the job.
- Time management – The ability to prioritise and organise tasks is a tremendous asset in the professional industry. A PhD holder can use their qualification to demonstrate that they are able to manage their time, arrange and follow a plan, and stick to deadlines.
- Report writing – Condensing three years of work into a thesis demonstrates your ability to filter through massive amounts of information, identify the key points, and get these points across to the reader. The ability to ‘cut out the waffle’ or ‘get to the point’ is a huge asset in the professional industry.
Aside from the above, you also get to refer to yourself as a Doctor and add fancy initials after your name!
What Can I Do After a PhD?
One of the most desirable postdoctoral fields is working within independent Research and Development (R&D) labs and new emerging companies. Both industries, especially R&D labs, have dedicated groups of PhD graduates who lead research activities, design new products and take part in crucial strategic meetings. Not only is this a stimulating line of work, but the average salaries in R&D labs and emerging start-ups are lucrative. In comparison, an undergraduate with five years of experience within their given field will, on average, likely earn less than a new PhD graduate taking on a R&D position.
It’s a common misunderstanding that PhDs only opens the door for an academic career such as university lecturers and training providers. Although obtaining a PhD opens these doors, the opportunities extend far beyond educational roles. In fact, recent data from the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) indicates only 23% of PhD graduates take a position in educational roles . This low percentage is primarily because PhD graduates have a wide range of skills that make them suitable for a broad spectrum of roles. This is being seen first hand by the increasing number of PhD graduates who are entering alternative roles such as research, writing, law and investment banking.
How Do I Find a PhD?
We appreciate that finding a PhD programme to undertake can be a relatively daunting process. According to Higher Education Student Statistics , over 22,000 PhDs were awarded in 2016/17 within the United Kingdom alone. Clearly there are a huge number of PhD programmes available. This can sometimes be confusing for prospective doctorates, particularly when different programmes are advertised in different places. Often, it is difficult to know where to look or where to even start. We’ve put together a list of useful sources to find the latest PhD programmes:
- A great place to start is with our comprehensive and up-to-date database of available PhD positions .
- Assuming you are still at university, speak to an existing PhD supervisor within your department.
- Attend as many postgraduate open days as you can. Whilst there, speak to current PhD students and career advisors to get an awareness of what PhDs are on offer.
- Visit the postgraduate section of university websites and the PhD Research Council section of the UKRI website.
Browse PhDs Now
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50 Useful Academic Words & Phrases for Research
Like all good writing, writing an academic paper takes a certain level of skill to express your ideas and arguments in a way that is natural and that meets a level of academic sophistication. The terms, expressions, and phrases you use in your research paper must be of an appropriate level to be submitted to academic journals.
Therefore, authors need to know which verbs , nouns , and phrases to apply to create a paper that is not only easy to understand, but which conveys an understanding of academic conventions. Using the correct terminology and usage shows journal editors and fellow researchers that you are a competent writer and thinker, while using non-academic language might make them question your writing ability, as well as your critical reasoning skills.
What are academic words and phrases?
One way to understand what constitutes good academic writing is to read a lot of published research to find patterns of usage in different contexts. However, it may take an author countless hours of reading and might not be the most helpful advice when faced with an upcoming deadline on a manuscript draft.
Briefly, “academic” language includes terms, phrases, expressions, transitions, and sometimes symbols and abbreviations that help the pieces of an academic text fit together. When writing an academic text–whether it is a book report, annotated bibliography, research paper, research poster, lab report, research proposal, thesis, or manuscript for publication–authors must follow academic writing conventions. You can often find handy academic writing tips and guidelines by consulting the style manual of the text you are writing (i.e., APA Style , MLA Style , or Chicago Style ).
However, sometimes it can be helpful to have a list of academic words and expressions like the ones in this article to use as a “cheat sheet” for substituting the better term in a given context.
How to Choose the Best Academic Terms
You can think of writing “academically” as writing in a way that conveys one’s meaning effectively but concisely. For instance, while the term “take a look at” is a perfectly fine way to express an action in everyday English, a term like “analyze” would certainly be more suitable in most academic contexts. It takes up fewer words on the page and is used much more often in published academic papers.
You can use one handy guideline when choosing the most academic term: When faced with a choice between two different terms, use the Latinate version of the term. Here is a brief list of common verbs versus their academic counterparts:
| ) | |
| add up | calculate |
| carry out | execute |
| find out | discover |
| pass out | distribute |
| ask questions about | interrogate |
| make sense of | interpret |
| pass on | distribute |
Although this can be a useful tip to help academic authors, it can be difficult to memorize dozens of Latinate verbs. Using an AI paraphrasing tool or proofreading tool can help you instantly find more appropriate academic terms, so consider using such revision tools while you draft to improve your writing.
Top 50 Words and Phrases for Different Sections in a Research Paper
The “Latinate verb rule” is just one tool in your arsenal of academic writing, and there are many more out there. But to make the process of finding academic language a bit easier for you, we have compiled a list of 50 vital academic words and phrases, divided into specific categories and use cases, each with an explanation and contextual example.
Best Words and Phrases to use in an Introduction section
1. historically.
An adverb used to indicate a time perspective, especially when describing the background of a given topic.
2. In recent years
A temporal marker emphasizing recent developments, often used at the very beginning of your Introduction section.
3. It is widely acknowledged that
A “form phrase” indicating a broad consensus among researchers and/or the general public. Often used in the literature review section to build upon a foundation of established scientific knowledge.
4. There has been growing interest in
Highlights increasing attention to a topic and tells the reader why your study might be important to this field of research.
5. Preliminary observations indicate
Shares early insights or findings while hedging on making any definitive conclusions. Modal verbs like may , might , and could are often used with this expression.
6. This study aims to
Describes the goal of the research and is a form phrase very often used in the research objective or even the hypothesis of a research paper .
7. Despite its significance
Highlights the importance of a matter that might be overlooked. It is also frequently used in the rationale of the study section to show how your study’s aim and scope build on previous studies.
8. While numerous studies have focused on
Indicates the existing body of work on a topic while pointing to the shortcomings of certain aspects of that research. Helps focus the reader on the question, “What is missing from our knowledge of this topic?” This is often used alongside the statement of the problem in research papers.
9. The purpose of this research is
A form phrase that directly states the aim of the study.
10. The question arises (about/whether)
Poses a query or research problem statement for the reader to acknowledge.
Best Words and Phrases for Clarifying Information
11. in other words.
Introduces a synopsis or the rephrasing of a statement for clarity. This is often used in the Discussion section statement to explain the implications of the study .
12. That is to say
Provides clarification, similar to “in other words.”
13. To put it simply
Simplifies a complex idea, often for a more general readership.
14. To clarify
Specifically indicates to the reader a direct elaboration of a previous point.
15. More specifically
Narrows down a general statement from a broader one. Often used in the Discussion section to clarify the meaning of a specific result.
16. To elaborate
Expands on a point made previously.
17. In detail
Indicates a deeper dive into information.
Points out specifics. Similar meaning to “specifically” or “especially.”
19. This means that
Explains implications and/or interprets the meaning of the Results section .
20. Moreover
Expands a prior point to a broader one that shows the greater context or wider argument.
Best Words and Phrases for Giving Examples
21. for instance.
Provides a specific case that fits into the point being made.
22. As an illustration
Demonstrates a point in full or in part.
23. To illustrate
Shows a clear picture of the point being made.
24. For example
Presents a particular instance. Same meaning as “for instance.”
25. Such as
Lists specifics that comprise a broader category or assertion being made.
26. Including
Offers examples as part of a larger list.
27. Notably
Adverb highlighting an important example. Similar meaning to “especially.”
28. Especially
Adverb that emphasizes a significant instance.
29. In particular
Draws attention to a specific point.
30. To name a few
Indicates examples than previously mentioned are about to be named.
Best Words and Phrases for Comparing and Contrasting
31. however.
Introduces a contrasting idea.
32. On the other hand
Highlights an alternative view or fact.
33. Conversely
Indicates an opposing or reversed idea to the one just mentioned.
34. Similarly
Shows likeness or parallels between two ideas, objects, or situations.
35. Likewise
Indicates agreement with a previous point.
36. In contrast
Draws a distinction between two points.
37. Nevertheless
Introduces a contrasting point, despite what has been said.
38. Whereas
Compares two distinct entities or ideas.
Indicates a contrast between two points.
Signals an unexpected contrast.
Best Words and Phrases to use in a Conclusion section
41. in conclusion.
Signifies the beginning of the closing argument.
42. To sum up
Offers a brief summary.
43. In summary
Signals a concise recap.
44. Ultimately
Reflects the final or main point.
45. Overall
Gives a general concluding statement.
Indicates a resulting conclusion.
Demonstrates a logical conclusion.
48. Therefore
Connects a cause and its effect.
49. It can be concluded that
Clearly states a conclusion derived from the data.
50. Taking everything into consideration
Reflects on all the discussed points before concluding.
Edit Your Research Terms and Phrases Before Submission
Using these phrases in the proper places in your research papers can enhance the clarity, flow, and persuasiveness of your writing, especially in the Introduction section and Discussion section, which together make up the majority of your paper’s text in most academic domains.
However, it's vital to ensure each phrase is contextually appropriate to avoid redundancy or misinterpretation. As mentioned at the top of this article, the best way to do this is to 1) use an AI text editor , free AI paraphrase tool or AI proofreading tool while you draft to enhance your writing, and 2) consult a professional proofreading service like Wordvice, which has human editors well versed in the terminology and conventions of the specific subject area of your academic documents.
For more detailed information on using AI tools to write a research paper and the best AI tools for research , check out the Wordvice AI Blog .
PHD Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It?
You’ve likely seen the abbreviation PHD — but what is the meaning of PHD? We’ll tell you. Read on as we explore this common acronym.
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There are several ways to abbreviate words in the English language — hence why there are so many acronyms and abbreviations found in the dictionary today.
While some terms are pretty self-explanatory, like “Feb,” which stands for “February,” there are some acronyms that could use a bit of explaining — such as Ph.D.
Although Ph.D is an abbreviation with more than one meaning, it commonly refers to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D): spelled with a capitalized “P,” lowercase “h,” and uppercase “D.”
Interested in learning more? We can help. Read on as we explore the abbreviation Ph.D to uncover its meaning, origin, and more. Are you ready? Let’s dive in.
What Does PhD Mean?
Ph.D — aka Doctor of Philosophy — is defined by Dictionary.com as the highest degree awarded by a school in a field of academic study. A doctorate is typically awarded to an individual who has completed three or more years of graduate study and a dissertation approved by a committee of professors.
Common abbreviations used for the doctor of philosophy include:
- Ph.D.
After completing the Ph.D degree or dissertation, a graduate can use Dr. or Ph.D. For example:
- Dr. Suzie Johnson or
- Suzie Johnson (Ph.D) or
- Dr. Suzie Johnson (Ph.D)
What Is the Origin of Ph.D?
Abbreviated from the Latin term philosophiae doctor meaning “doctor of philosophy,” the Ph.D is the highest degree in most fields, with the notable exceptions of medicine and law that have their own doctorates. The degree originated in 19th century Germany when the word “philosophy” had the much broader meaning of “love of wisdom.”
Though universities have existed in Europe long before the 19th century, the degrees that medieval universities awarded to students had more in common with the MD than with the Ph.D, as they required mastery of already existing knowledge.
In 1861, Yale University became the first institution of higher education in the United States to award the degree, conferring it on three recipients; Arthur W, Wright, James M. Whiton, and Eugene Schuyler. A few decades later, Canada accepted Ph.D as their highest level of honor, and in 1917, the doctoral of philosophy was introduced in all disciplines of the subjects.
How Can I Use Ph.D in a Sentence?
Now that you understand what Ph.D means, let’s take a look at some examples of this acronym in a sentence:
“After telling him I earned an academic degree, he bragged for the rest of the night about having a Ph.D .”
“I can’t decide what academic field to get my Ph.D in.”
“Tom can’t work full-time because he is a Ph.D student and has to work on his thesis.”
“My mom is thinking about going back to school to complete a Ph.D program in psychology.”
“I am in the second year of my Ph.D program.”
“Whether you like physics, chemistry, or psychology, you can find a Ph.D program on campus,”
“Look, I understand that you’re my supervisor, but I am looking to get my Ph.D degree and ultimately become a doctor of medicine; in other words, I have to study and can’t pick up more than one shift per week.”
“Have you taken the exams yet to get your Ph.D ?”
“Did you know that some Ph.D programs accept a portfolio of published papers?”
“To get a Ph.D , it’s important to study hard and get good grades.”
“Gosh, I didn’t realize how many seminars and workshops I’d have to attend to get a Ph.D !”
“A Ph.D comes with a pretty hefty fee, so be sure to apply for scholarships.”
What Is a Doctorate?
Simply put, a doctorate is any qualification that awards a doctoral degree. To qualify for one, you need to produce work at a high level that makes a significant new contribution to knowledge in your academic field. Doing so earns you the title “Doctor.”
Many people believe a doctorate and a Ph.D are the same. However, this is not the case, as a Ph.D is a type of doctorate, such as a Doctor of Philosophy. Other doctoral degrees or types of doctorate include:
- Doctor of Education
- Doctor of Theology
- Doctor of Medicine
- Doctor of Musical Arts
- Doctor of Literature
- Doctor of Divinity
- Doctor of Civil Law
- Doctor of Science
According to the American Psychological Association, the Ph.D is intended for students interested in gaining new knowledge through scientific research, or teaching experience.
Does PHD Stand For Anything Else?
Although the abbreviation PHD is most commonly associated with the Doctorate of Philosophy, it does have a few other meanings:
- Pizza Hut Delivery
- Press Here, Dummy
- Permanent Head Damage
- Pretty Heavy Drinker
- Please Hire Desperate
- Preparing His Disciples
- Player Hating Degree
- Power Hungry Dog
- Premium Hot Dog
- Pretty Heavy Dude
- Poor, Hungry, and Determined
A Final Word
So, what does PHD mean, you ask?
Simply put, PHD is an abbreviation that stands for many words; however, it’s most commonly used to abbreviate “Doctor of Philosophy.”
We hope this guide has provided you with all of the information you need to understand the meaning of PHD fully. To discover more interesting words and strengthen your overall vocabulary, be sure to check out our website , where you’ll find definitions, grammar tips, and more!
- A Brief History of the PhD | NeuWrite West
- Ph.d. Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
- The First American Doctor of Philosophy Degree: A Centennial Salute to Yale, 1861-1961 | The Journal of Higher Education
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.
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Find 18 different ways to say PHD, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.
Synonyms for PhD include college degree, doctorate, master's, certification, qualification, university degree, postgraduate degree, advanced degree, doctoral degree and master's degree. Find more similar words at wordhippo.com!
What's the definition of Phd in thesaurus? Most related words/phrases with sentence examples define Phd meaning and usage.
Another way to say Phd? Synonyms for Phd (other words and phrases for Phd).
The meaning of PHD is the academic degree, title, or rank of doctor of philosophy; also : a person who has earned the academic degree of doctor of philosophy. How to use PhD in a sentence.
A PhD is a university degree that a student gets after several years of advanced study in a subject. Once you have a PhD, you can be called "Dr. So-and-so."
31 PhD synonyms. What are another words for PhD? Doctorate, doctor, advanced degree, doctoral degree. Full list of synonyms for PhD is here.
Find all the synonyms and alternative words for PHD at Synonyms.com, the largest free online thesaurus, antonyms, definitions and translations resource on the web.
a doctorate usually based on at least 3 years graduate study and a dissertation; the highest degree awarded graduate study
A doctorate is an advanced university degree. Another name for a doctorate is a PhD. If you stick in school long enough, you just might end up with a doctorate (and a whole lot of debt).
M.D., which can be used with or without the periods (M.D. or MD) is the designation for a medical doctor. This is earned by attending medical school (typically a four-year program after completing at least one undergraduate degree, plus a residency program), and learning to diagnose patients' symptoms and offer treatment.
Definition of PhD noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
PhD definition: the highest degree, a doctorate, awarded by a graduate school in a field of academic study, usually to a person who has completed at least three years of graduate study and a dissertation approved by a committee of professors.. See examples of PHD used in a sentence.
PhD definition: 1. abbreviation for doctor of philosophy: the highest college or university degree, or someone who…. Learn more.
Synonyms for Ph.D. include doctor, Th.D., professor, academic, scholar, expert, scientist, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Theology and highbrow. Find more similar ...
Synonyms for GRADUATE: postgraduate, collegiate, educative, educational, scholarly, pedagogic, pedagogical, professorial; Antonyms of GRADUATE: nonacademic ...
Find 6 different ways to say DOCTORAL DEGREE, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.
Definition of a PhD - A Doctor of Philosophy (commonly abbreviated to PhD, Ph.D or a DPhil) is a university research degree awarded from across a broad range of academic disciplines; in most countries, it is a terminal degree, i.e. the highest academic degree possible. PhDs differ from undergraduate and master's degrees in that PhDs are ...
See the best academic words and phrase for your research paper. Explanations and examples of academic terms.
Ph.D. (pi eɪtʃ di ) also PhD. Word forms: Ph.D.s. 1. countable noun. A Ph. D. is a degree awarded to people who have done advanced research into a particular subject. Ph.D. is an abbreviation for Doctor of Philosophy. He is more highly educated, with a Ph.D. in chemistry. 2.
Abbreviated from the Latin term philosophiae doctor meaning "doctor of philosophy," the Ph.D is the highest degree in most fields, with the notable exceptions of medicine and law that have their own doctorates. The degree originated in 19th century Germany when the word "philosophy" had the much broader meaning of "love of wisdom.".
Synonyms for graduate include alum, alumna, alumnus, baccalaureate, bachelor, collegian, diplomate, doctor, grad and holder. Find more similar words at wordhippo.com!
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