Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

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

Examples from the Web for philosophize

Historical Examples

  • 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.

  • 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.

British Dictionary definitions for philosophize

philosophize

philosophise

verb
  1. (intr) to make philosophical pronouncements and speculations
  2. (tr) to explain philosophically
Show More
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

v.

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

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper