philosopher

American  

[fi-los-uh-fer] / fɪˈlɒs ə fər /

noun

1. a person who offers views or theories on profound questions in ethics, metaphysics, logic, and other related fields.

2. a person who is deeply versed in philosophy.

3. a person who establishes the central ideas of some movement, cult, etc.

4. a person who regulates their life, actions, judgments, utterances, etc., by the light of philosophy or reason.

5. a person who is rationally or sensibly calm, especially under trying circumstances.

6. Obsolete. an alchemist or occult scientist.

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philosopher British  

/ fɪˈlɒsəfə /

noun

1. a student, teacher, or devotee of philosophy

2. a person of philosophical temperament, esp one who is patient, wise, and stoical

3. (formerly) an alchemist or devotee of occult science

4. a person who establishes the ideology of a cult or movement

   the philosopher of the revolution

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philosopher Cultural  

1. Someone who engages in philosophy. Some examples of philosophers are Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, and Plato.

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Other Word Forms

• philosophership noun

Etymology

Origin of philosopher

First recorded before 900; Middle English, variant of philosophre from Anglo-French ( Middle French philosophe, from Latin philosophus ); replacing Old English philosoph, from Latin philosophus, from Greek philósophos “philosopher,” equivalent to philo- philo- + soph(ía) “wisdom” ( -sophy ) + -os noun suffix

Example Sentences

I agree with French philosopher Etienne Balibar, who cautioned that to confront violence with more violence becomes a death trap for the left.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

Jospin's widow, the philosopher Sylviane Agacinsky, 80, was in attendance.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Married in later life to the philosopher Syvliane Agacinski, who survives him, Jospin was respected as an honest – if somewhat technocratic – left-wing leader.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

The philosopher catches our eye and gestures toward us with the right hand that rests on the air pump.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

Grasping the loose waistband of his trousers, the philosopher stood up and bowed almost without realizing it, again and again, as the President of the Consistorial Court of Discipline left his cell.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

• theorist