gp

gp — noun

1. a doctor who treats people of all ages for common health problems and works in a

1.nounB1
Definition

a doctor who treats people of all ages for common health problems and works in a local clinic rather than a hospital

Example

Maja called her GP when her cough did not get better after two weeks.

called her GP

The GP prescribed some medicine and told Christopher to rest for three days.

Common collocations
  • see a GP
  • visit a GP
  • call a GP
  • register with a GP
  • GP appointment
  • local GP
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

GP + verb (singular)

someone's GP

Usage Note

In everyday speech, 'GP' is far more common than the full form 'general practitioner'. The full form sounds more formal and is mostly used in official documents or professional descriptions.

Common Mistakes

I took my child to the GP hospital.
I took my child to the GP clinic / GP surgery / the doctor.
GPs work in clinics or surgeries, not hospitals.

2. a short written form of the word 'group', used in labels, classifications, and b

2.nounB1
Definition

a short written form of the word 'group', used in labels, classifications, and business names

Example

The manager divided the staff into teams A and B for the training gp exercise.

gp as written abbreviation in labels

Niran works for a publishing gp that owns three daily newspapers and two magazines.

Common collocations
  • blood type + gp
  • research gp
  • publishing gp
  • gp exercise

Grammar Patterns

[noun] + gp

gp + [noun]

Usage Note

This abbreviation appears mainly in written text — labels, tables, company names, and classification systems. In speech, the full word 'group' is always used.

Common Mistakes

Please join gp 3 for the activity.' (speaking)
Please join group 3 for the activity.
In spoken English, always say the full word 'group'.

3. the area of medicine that deals with treating common health problems in the comm

3.nounB1
Definition

the area of medicine that deals with treating common health problems in the community, rather than specialising in one part of the body or one type of disease

Example

Dr. Reema chose to work in GP after medical school rather than become a surgeon.

work in GP

The local clinic provides GP services to more than five thousand patients in the area.

GP services

Common collocations
  • work in GP
  • GP services
  • GP training
  • GP clinic
  • enter GP
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

work in GP

GP + noun (services, training, clinic)

Usage Note

In British English, 'GP' often refers to both the doctor (sense 1) and the medical field (this sense). When someone says 'I work in GP', they mean the field of general practice, not the doctor role.

Common Mistakes

She is a GP doctor.
She is a GP / She works in GP.
Adding 'doctor' after 'GP' is redundant since GP already means a type of doctor or medical practice.

4. a sequence of numbers in which each term is found by multiplying the previous te

4.nounC1
Definition

a sequence of numbers in which each term is found by multiplying the previous term by a fixed number, called the common ratio

Example

In a GP, the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16 follow each other with a common ratio of 2.

2, 4, 8, 16 with ratio 2

The teacher asked Paloma to calculate the tenth term of the GP starting with 3 and a ratio of 3.

Common collocations
  • common ratio of a GP
  • sum of a GP
  • terms of a GP
  • infinite GP
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

a GP with [common ratio]

the nth term of a GP

Usage Note

Mainly used in mathematics textbooks and examination questions. The full form 'geometric progression' is more common in spoken explanations.

Common Mistakes

The numbers 1, 3, 5, 7 form a GP.
The numbers 1, 3, 9, 27 form a GP.
In a GP, each term is multiplied (not added) by a fixed number. 1, 3, 5, 7 is an arithmetic progression.

Word family

  • general practitioner
    nounB1
  • general practice
    nounB1
  • GP surgery
    nounB2
  • GP appointment
    nounB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

GP is by far the most common term in British English for a community-based doctor who treats all ages. 'General practitioner' is the formal full form — you would see it on official forms or in medical registration documents, but rarely in everyday conversation. 'Family doctor' is an informal alternative that emphasises the doctor's relationship with all members of a household; it sounds warmer and more personal. 'Primary care physician' (or PCP) is the standard American English equivalent — a British speaker would almost never use it. For example: a British person says 'I need to see my GP', while an American says 'I need to see my primary care physician'.

GP ↗general practitionerfamily doctorprimary care physician

Common collocations

Nouns

  • GP surgery
  • GP clinic
  • GP practice

Phrases

  • see a GP
  • visit a GP
  • register with a GP

Etymology

LatinGreekFrenchEnglish

GP is an abbreviation formed from the first letters of 'general practitioner'. 'General' comes from Latin 'generalis' (relating to all kinds), 'practice' from Greek 'praktikos' (concerned with action), and 'practitioner' from 'practician' (someone who practises a profession). The abbreviation became widely used in British English during the mid-20th century as healthcare systems expanded.