philosopher
fih-LOS-uh-fuh
Philosopher (noun) means a person who studies or writes about fundamental questions of existence, knowledge, ethics, and reason. Example: “The young philosopher spent years thinking about what it means to live a good life.”
noun
1
A person who studies or writes about fundamental questions of existence, knowledge, ethics, and reason.
"The young philosopher spent years thinking about what it means to live a good life."
"Socrates is often called the founder of Western philosophy as a philosopher."
"The philosopher argued that free will is largely an illusion."
2
A person who approaches life's problems calmly and rationally, as if guided by philosophical wisdom.
"When the train was cancelled, she stayed calm like a philosopher and read her book."
"My grandfather was a bit of a philosopher about the problems of growing old."
"Despite losing his job, he took it like a philosopher and moved on."
How to use philosopher
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who studies or thinks deeply about big questions like existence, knowledge, and morality — or, more loosely, someone who stays calm and thoughtful under pressure.
Common pairings
ancient philosopher
moral philosopher
philosopher and writer
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Word forms
- Plural
- philosophers
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The young _____ spent years thinking about what it means to live a good life.
Etymology
From Greek philosophos, literally "lover of wisdom," a term said to have been first used by Pythagoras to describe himself rather than claim to be wise.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for philosopher
See all rhymes for philosopher →Frequently asked questions
What does “philosopher” mean?
The word “philosopher” means a person who studies or writes about fundamental questions of existence, knowledge, ethics, and reason. In plain terms, someone who studies or thinks deeply about big questions like existence, knowledge, and morality — or, more loosely, someone who stays calm and thoughtful under pressure.
How do you pronounce “philosopher”?
“Philosopher” is pronounced fih-LOS-uh-fuh (/fəˈlɑsəfɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “philosopher” in a sentence?
Here is “philosopher” used in a sentence: “Socrates is often called the founder of Western philosophy as a philosopher.”
What part of speech is “philosopher”?
“Philosopher” is a noun.
Where does the word “philosopher” come from?
The word “philosopher” comes from Greek. From Greek philosophos, literally "lover of wisdom," a term said to have been first used by Pythagoras to describe himself rather than claim to be wise.
Is “philosopher” a common word?
“Philosopher” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “philosopher” have?
“Philosopher” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who studies or writes about fundamental questions of existence, knowledge, ethics, and reason.
What is the difference between a philosopher and a scientist?
A philosopher studies or writes about fundamental questions of existence, knowledge, ethics, and reason, often through argument and reflection rather than experimentation. A scientist, by contrast, investigates the natural world primarily through observation and experiment, though the two fields have historically overlapped.
What does it mean to call someone a philosopher about a situation?
Calling someone a philosopher in this everyday sense means they approach life's problems calmly and rationally, as if guided by philosophical wisdom, rather than reacting emotionally. This is a figurative use distinct from the academic sense of someone who formally studies philosophy.
Do you need a degree to be called a philosopher?
Not necessarily. While many philosophers hold academic training, the term broadly describes a person who studies or writes about fundamental questions of existence, knowledge, ethics, and reason, and it can also be used more loosely for someone who approaches life calmly and rationally.
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