doctora

Doctora is the feminine form of the Spanish word for doctor. It is used to refer to a woman who has earned the title of doctor, most often a physician, but also to a woman who has completed a doctoral degree in any field. In everyday language, la doctora means “the female doctor,” and the title before a name is commonly abbreviated as Dra. (for Doctora). The term can also denote a woman who holds a doctoral degree, not limited to medicine.

Grammar and usage: In Spanish, doctor is masculine (el doctor) and doctora is feminine (la doctora). The plural forms are los doctores for male doctors and las doctoras for female doctors; when referring to a mixed-gender group one may say "los doctores y las doctoras" or use a gender-neutral option such as el personal médico. The abbreviation Dra. is widely used in formal addresses and professional listings, for example Dra. Ana Márquez.

Regional and cultural notes: In many Spanish-speaking countries, doctora is a standard term and widely accepted in both professional and everyday contexts. Some contexts may prefer gender-neutral forms or avoid gendered titles in formal writing, but doctora remains a conventional way to acknowledge a woman’s professional or academic qualification. The term reflects Spanish grammar, in which many professional titles have distinct masculine and feminine forms.