Socratic

[ suh-krat-ik, soh- ]

/ səˈkræt ɪk, soʊ- /

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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.

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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

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

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