Socratic

American  

[suh-krat-ik, soh-] / səˈkræt ɪk, soʊ- /

adjective

1. of or relating to Socrates or his philosophy, followers, etc., or to the Socratic method.

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noun

1. a follower of Socrates.

2. any of the Greek philosophers influenced by Socrates.

Socratic British  

/ sɒˈkrætɪk, ˈsɒkrətɪst /

adjective

1. of or relating to Socrates, his methods, etc

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noun

1. a person who follows the teachings of Socrates

Other Word Forms

• Socratically adverb
• Socraticism noun
• Socratist noun
• anti-Socratic adjective
• post-Socratic adjective
• pro-Socratic adjective
• pseudo-Socratic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Socratic

1630–40; < Latin Sōcraticus < Greek Sōkratikós of, pertaining to Socrates; see -ic

Example Sentences

Recently, I took Gemini on a long walk with me, during which we had a Socratic dialogue about the history of the Byzantine Empire.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 24, 2026

It was there he learned the Socratic method of inquiry by oral combat that would underlie both his remarkable achievements and the harsh judgments that would precipitate his fall from grace.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2025

I was scared about whether, even with my hearing aids, I would be able to keep up with the quick-fire exchanges that fill my classroom as I engage law students in the Socratic method.

From Slate • Oct. 20, 2024

And they asked it to write a Socratic dialogue that explored the misuses and dangers of L.L.M.s.

From New York Times • May 16, 2023

“So a Socratic paradox is about something that probably isn’t true, but you make it sound true?”

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King