philosophy
fih-LOS-uh-fee
Philosophy (noun) means the academic study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and reasoning. Example: “She majored in philosophy at university.”
noun
1
The academic study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and reasoning.
"She majored in philosophy at university."
"The professor specializes in the philosophy of mind."
"In philosophy class we debated whether we can ever truly know anything."
2
A personal set of beliefs or principles that guides how someone thinks or acts.
"His philosophy is simple: treat others the way you want to be treated."
"The company's design philosophy favors simplicity over flashy features."
"My grandmother's philosophy of life is to be kind and never hold a grudge."
3
A calm, thoughtful attitude, especially toward difficulty or loss.
"She faced the diagnosis with remarkable philosophy."
"He took the delay with philosophy, shrugged, and ordered another cup of tea."
"With real philosophy, the farmers accepted the poor harvest and planned for next year."
How to use philosophy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the academic subject that studies big questions about life and knowledge, or someone's personal set of guiding beliefs.
Common pairings
a philosophy degree
business philosophy
personal philosophy
study philosophy
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Word forms
- Plural
- philosophies
- Third person singular
- philosophies
- Past tense
- philosophied
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Etymology
From Latin philosophia, borrowed from Ancient Greek philosophia — literally "love of wisdom," from philos ("loving") plus sophia ("wisdom").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for philosophy
See all rhymes for philosophy →Frequently asked questions
What does “philosophy” mean?
The word “philosophy” means the academic study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and reasoning. In plain terms, either the academic subject that studies big questions about life and knowledge, or someone's personal set of guiding beliefs.
How do you pronounce “philosophy”?
“Philosophy” is pronounced fih-LOS-uh-fee (/fɪˈlɑ.sə.fi/ in IPA).
How do you use “philosophy” in a sentence?
Here is “philosophy” used in a sentence: “She majored in philosophy at university.”
What part of speech is “philosophy”?
“Philosophy” is a noun.
Where does the word “philosophy” come from?
The word “philosophy” comes from Ancient Greek. From Latin philosophia, borrowed from Ancient Greek philosophia — literally "love of wisdom," from philos ("loving") plus sophia ("wisdom").
Is “philosophy” a common word?
“Philosophy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “philosophy” have?
“Philosophy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the academic study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and reasoning.
What are the main branches of philosophy?
Philosophy is traditionally divided into a few core areas. Metaphysics asks what exists and what reality is; epistemology studies knowledge and how we know things; ethics examines right and wrong; logic sets the rules of valid reasoning; and aesthetics explores beauty and art. Together they cover its biggest questions.
What is the difference between philosophy and science?
Science tests ideas through observation and experiment, seeking measurable answers about the physical world. Philosophy tackles questions that experiments cannot settle — the nature of existence, morality, meaning, and knowledge itself — using reasoning and argument. The two overlap historically, and philosophy often examines the assumptions and methods that science relies on.
What is an example of a philosophical question?
Philosophical questions probe things we cannot simply look up. Examples include: Does free will exist? What makes an action right or wrong? Can we truly know anything for certain? What gives life meaning? Is the mind separate from the body? Such questions invite reasoned debate rather than a single proven answer.
Why is philosophy important?
Philosophy trains people to think clearly, question assumptions, and build sound arguments — skills useful far beyond the subject itself. It underpins ethics, law, politics, and science by examining the ideas they rest on. Studying it helps you reason carefully about how to live, what to believe, and why it matters.
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