medico: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low frequency (informal/niche)Informal, colloquial, sometimes humorous or ironic.
Quick answer
What does “medico” mean?
A doctor or medical student.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A doctor or medical student; an informal or humorous term for a medical professional.
Primarily used in informal contexts to refer to doctors, often with a tone of familiarity, light-heartedness, or mild teasing. Can denote medical students in some university contexts. Not used for formal medical titles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more established in British English, particularly in historical or university contexts (e.g., 'the medics' vs. 'the medics' in the US). In American English, it might sound more deliberately informal or borrowed.
Connotations
UK: Often associated with university slang (Oxford/Cambridge) or military slang (e.g., 'the medics'). US: Tends to sound more like a casual, almost jocular term.
Frequency
Uncommon in both varieties, but has deeper roots in certain British subcultures (student, military).
Grammar
How to Use “medico” in a Sentence
[The/Our] + medico + [verb e.g., said, advised, fixed]I'll ask + [possessive] + medicoTalk to the + medicoVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “medico” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The young medico from the university hospital gave a surprisingly clear explanation.
- We'd better get a medico to look at that cut before it gets infected.
- He's training to be a medico, so he's always buried in his books.
American English
- My brother-in-law is a medico out in California.
- Let's see what the medico has to say about these test results.
- A couple of off-duty medicos helped at the scene of the accident.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, except in informal student contexts.
Everyday
Informal, among friends or when referring to a doctor in a non-serious way.
Technical
Never used in formal medical literature or reports.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “medico”
- Using it in a formal letter or consultation ('Dear Medico...').
- Using it for a senior consultant in a respectful context.
- Confusing it with 'medic', which is more standard (especially in military contexts).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and familiar. Use 'Doctor' or 'Dr. [Surname]' for respect.
It's most commonly used for doctors (physicians) and medical students. It would sound odd for nurses, physiotherapists, etc.
It originates from Italian or Spanish 'médico' (doctor), borrowed into English in the 17th century.
Almost never. It is strictly an informal, colloquial term.
A doctor or medical student.
Medico is usually informal, colloquial, sometimes humorous or ironic. in register.
Medico: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛdɪkəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛdɪkoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The medics are in (informal announcement)”
- “Playing medico (pretending to be a doctor)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MEDIcal person with a friendly -O ending', like 'weirdo' or 'kiddo'.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROFESSIONAL AS FRIENDLY CHARACTER (Diminutive '-o' suggests familiarity, not formality).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'medico' be LEAST appropriate?