What does allopath mean?
An allopath is a practitioner of conventional, science-based medicine — essentially a mainstream medical doctor — as distinguished from practitioners of alternative systems such as homeopathy, Ayurveda, or naturopathy. The term derives from Greek roots meaning 'other' and 'suffering' or 'disease', reflecting its origin: it was coined in the early nineteenth century by Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, who used it to characterise orthodox physicians as treating disease with remedies that produced opposite effects to the symptoms, in contrast to his own principle of 'like cures like'. Today the word is encountered most often in comparative discussions of medical systems, and it is particularly common in South Asian English, where patients routinely speak of choosing between an allopath and a homoeopath or Ayurvedic doctor. Because of its polemical origins, some physicians regard the label as imprecise or slightly derogatory, preferring terms such as physician or conventional doctor.
nounA practitioner of conventional or mainstream medicine, especially as distinguished from a practitioner of alternative systems such as homeopathy.
- A physician who practises conventional or orthodox medicine, as opposed to practitioners of alternative or traditional healing systems.
"Her family doctor was an allopath, but she also consulted a homeopath for her chronic migraines."
"After years of trying herbal remedies, she finally turned to an allopath for treatment of her infection."
"In India, patients often choose between an allopath, a homoeopath, and an Ayurvedic practitioner."
Regular plural; used when referring to multiple conventional-medicine practitioners, often in contrast with another group such as homeopaths.
"The conference brought together allopaths, homeopaths, and Ayurvedic physicians."
The word 'allopath' wasn't coined by doctors — it was invented by Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, to describe the medical establishment he opposed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of allopath
The word allopath was coined in the early nineteenth century by Samuel Hahnemann, the German founder of homeopathy. It combines the Greek 'allos' ('other' or 'different') with 'pathos' ('suffering' or 'disease'), and was originally intended somewhat pejoratively to describe conventional physicians who treated symptoms with opposites, in contrast to homeopathy's 'like cures like'. The same Greek roots appear in related coinages such as allopathy and allopathic, and in older words like sympathy and empathy, which share the 'pathos' element.
Related word forms
How allopath is actually used
The term is used mainly in discussions contrasting Western/conventional medicine with alternative or traditional systems, and it is especially common in South Asian English (India, Pakistan). It can carry a slightly polemical tone, since it originated in homeopathic rhetoric describing mainstream doctors; many physicians simply consider themselves 'doctors' or 'physicians' rather than 'allopaths'.
Easily confused with allopath
A homeopath practises homeopathy, an alternative system based on highly diluted remedies, while an allopath practises conventional scientific medicine.