Socratic

[ suh-krat-ik, soh- ]

/ səˈkræt ɪk, soʊ- /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for Socratic on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

noun

a follower of Socrates.

any of the Greek philosophers influenced by Socrates.

QUIZ

SPRINT TO THE FINISH WITH THIS OLYMPICS QUIZ!

Compete in our Olympics quiz to see if you can take home the gold medal in Olympics knowledge.

Question 1 of 10

Where was the Olympics first held?

ancient Rome

ancient Greece

ancient Persia

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of Socratic

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

OTHER WORDS FROM Socratic

So·crat·i·cal·ly, adverban·ti-So·crat·ic, adjectivepost-So·crat·ic, adjectivepseu·do-So·crat·ic, adjective

Words nearby Socratic

sock suspender, socle, socman, Socotra, Socrates, Socratic, Socratic irony, Socratic method, Socred, sod, soda

How to use Socratic in a sentence

Many teachers now think of the Socratic method as the technique of encouraging students to say whatever they know about a topic.
The Ivy League Provides the Best Trade Schools Around|Nick Romeo|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Often Socratic conversation induces utter confusion—the ancient Greek word is aporia—and ends with no clear solution to a problem.
The Ivy League Provides the Best Trade Schools Around|Nick Romeo|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You need philosophy, not the modern bull session kind but the Socratic method of “What the hell am I thinking?”
My Commencement Speech to Rutgers’ Geniuses: Go Forth and Fail|P. J. O’Rourke|May 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Socratic dialogue during strenuous exercise: take that, effete philosophers!
Atheist Philosopher Peter Boghossian’s Guide to Converting Believers|Michael Schulson|November 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Solomon recounts a recurring Socratic dialogue between Robbins and Stein, Bock, and Harnick.
The Strange Power of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’|Jen Vafidis|October 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Socratic philosophy, as expounded by Plato, survived the wrecks of material greatness.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord
I did not like the Socratic method he had adopted in this conversation, and I turned the tables on him.
Unveiling a Parallel|Alice Ilgenfritz Jones and Ella Marchant
To gain time for thought he fell back upon the Socratic method, and began asking questions.
The Harris-Ingram Experiment|Charles E. Bolton
I cannot have a doubt that it was strength of tradition that imputed such a use of the Socratic name and character to Plato.
The Posthumous Works of Thomas De Quincey, Vol. 1 (2 vols)|Thomas De Quincey
Haeckel's system is mainly poetico-mythical, chiefly on the lines of some of the pre-Socratic philosophers.
An Interpretation of Rudolf Eucken's Philosophy|W. Tudor Jones

British Dictionary definitions for Socratic

Socratic

/ (sɒˈkrætɪk) /

adjective

of or relating to Socrates, his methods, etc

noun

a person who follows the teachings of Socrates

Derived forms of Socratic

Socratically, adverbSocraticism, nounSocratist (ˈsɒkrətɪst), 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