philosophize

[fi-los-uh-fahyz]

See more synonyms for philosophize on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), phi·los·o·phized, phi·los·o·phiz·ing.

to speculate or theorize, usually in a superficial or imprecise manner.
to think or reason as a philosopher.

Also especially British, phi·los·o·phise.

Origin of philosophize

First recorded in 1585–95; philosoph(y) + -ize

Related formsphi·los·o·phi·za·tion, nounphi·los·o·phiz·er, nouno·ver·phi·los·o·phize, verb (used without object), o·ver·phi·los·o·phized, o·ver·phi·los·o·phiz·ing.well-phi·los·o·phized, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for philosophize

theorize, deliberate, contemplate, examine, weigh, think

Examples from the Web for philosophize

Historical Examples of philosophize

For to fly and philosophize were one thing, and to philosophize in prison were another.
The Book of Khalid
Ameen Rihani
I endeavored to philosophize myself into calmness and indifference.
Charles O'Malley, The Irish Dragoon, Volume 2 (of 2)
Charles Lever
He continued to philosophize with what seemed to me a shocking freedom of mind.
Romance
Joseph Conrad and F.M. Hueffer
The Artist was already in his sketch, but he paused to growl and philosophize.
Riviera Towns
Herbert Adams Gibbons
To philosophize as a business is to miss the highest philosophy.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great Philosophers, Volume 8
Elbert Hubbard

British Dictionary definitions for philosophize

philosophize

philosophise

verb

(intr) to make philosophical pronouncements and speculations
(tr) to explain philosophically

Derived Formsphilosophization or philosophisation, nounphilosophizer or philosophiser, noun

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

Word Origin and History for philosophize

1590s, from philosophy + -ize. Related: Philosophized; philosophizing. The earlier verb was simply philosophy (late 14c.).