philosopher

[ fi-los-uh-fer ]

/ fɪˈlɒs ə fər /

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See synonyms for: philosopher / philosophers on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

a person who is deeply versed in philosophy.

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

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

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

Obsolete. an alchemist or occult scientist.

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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” (see -sophy) + -os noun suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM philosopher

phi·los·o·pher·ship, noun

Words nearby philosopher

philophobia, philoprogenitive, philos., philosophaster, philosophe, philosopher, philosopher king, philosopher kings, philosophers' stone, philosophes, philosophical

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use philosopher in a sentence

Some philosophers deny that there can be facts about values.
The Universe Knows Right from Wrong - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Philip Goff|September 9, 2020|Nautilus
Because of this, philosophers who argue against objective value, such as Bart Streumer from the University of Groningen, cannot consistently believe their own view.
The Universe Knows Right from Wrong - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Philip Goff|September 9, 2020|Nautilus
Philip Goff is a philosopher and consciousness researcher at Durham University.
The Universe Knows Right from Wrong - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Philip Goff|September 9, 2020|Nautilus
Immanuel Kant and Niccolò Machiavelli are, of course, renowned moral and political philosophers who, in Kant’s case, emphasized the ethical strictures of duty and, in Machiavelli’s case, made a virtue of being conniving and clever.
Are You Yoda or Darth Vader? - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Brian Gallagher|August 26, 2020|Nautilus

In 1987 the philosopher Allan Bloom published his treatise on the parlous state of American society and the country’s misguided universities.
Gender Is What You Make of It - Issue 88: Love & Sex|Charles King|August 5, 2020|Nautilus
But few of us would recognize the name of Dietrich von Hildebrand, a German philosopher-turned-outspoken Nazi antagonist.
The Catholic Philosopher Who Took on Hitler|John Henry Crosby|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“He was specifically interested in finding a philosopher to lead the project,” Sanger recalled.
You Can Look It Up: The Wikipedia Story|Walter Isaacson|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Greek philosopher did ethics and tragedy, sure—but he also invented science as we know it.
Why Aristotle Deserves A Posthumous Nobel|Nick Romeo|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To paraphrase the renegade philosopher Hannibal, I love it when science comes together.
Glaciers Lose 204 Billion Tons of Ice in Three Years|Matthew R. Francis|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I asked Honig whether he agrees with the most well-known philosopher on animal welfare, Peter Singer.
The Bioethicist Turned Butcher|Elizabeth Picciuto|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was the friend of Descartes, and a philosopher; distinguished for his eloquence and as an author.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Andrew Michael Ramsay, a Scottish historian and philosopher, died.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Let the young philosopher avoid such practice, and give a wide berth to those who follow them.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
My dear, country life is making you a philosopher: and here comes our girl as ready for her dinner as I am.
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond
Edward Holyoke, president of Harvard college, died; an excellent mathematician and natural philosopher.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell

British Dictionary definitions for philosopher

philosopher

/ (fɪˈlɒsəfə) /

noun

a student, teacher, or devotee of philosophy

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

(formerly) an alchemist or devotee of occult science

a person who establishes the ideology of a cult or movementthe philosopher of the revolution

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for philosopher

philosopher

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

philosopher

Origin of philosopher

OTHER WORDS FROM philosopher

Words nearby philosopher

Words related to philosopher

How to use philosopher in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for philosopher

Cultural definitions for philosopher