philosophical

[ fil-uh-sof-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to philosophy:

   philosophical studies.

2. versed in or occupied with philosophy.
3. proper to or befitting a philosopher.
4. rationally or sensibly calm, patient, or composed.
5. Rare. of or relating to natural philosophy or physical science.

philosophical

/ ˌfɪləˈsɒfɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to philosophy or philosophers
2. reasonable, wise, or learned
3. calm and stoical, esp in the face of difficulties or disappointments
4. (formerly) of or relating to science or natural philosophy

Derived Forms

• ˌphiloˈsophically, adverb
• ˌphiloˈsophicalness, noun

Other Words From

• phil·o·soph·i·cal·ly adverb
• phil·o·soph·i·cal·ness noun
• an·ti·phil·o·soph·ic adjective
• an·ti·phil·o·soph·i·cal adjective
• an·ti·phil·o·soph·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·phil·o·soph·ic adjective
• non·phil·o·soph·i·cal adjective
• non·phil·o·soph·i·cal·ly adverb
• pseu·do·phil·o·soph·i·cal adjective
• qua·si-phil·o·soph·i·cal adjective
• qua·si-phil·o·soph·i·cal·ly adverb
• sem·i·phil·o·soph·ic adjective
• sem·i·phil·o·soph·i·cal adjective
• sem·i·phil·o·soph·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·phil·o·soph·ic adjective
• un·phil·o·soph·i·cal adjective
• un·phil·o·soph·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of philosophical¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: “learned; pertaining to alchemy,” from Latin philosophic(us) (from Greek philosophikós; philosopher, -ic ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

But for now, these first responses took the philosophical approach of gathering and finding unity.

From Los Angeles Times

“Not to get too academic or philosophical, but in many cultures there’s a participatory relationship with performance,” Sinclair says.

From Los Angeles Times

You describe the Black American liberal tradition as a cohesive philosophical framework with six key elements.

From Salon

This is a talky chamber piece of philosophical face-offs, debate duels and wordy warfare, though the outcomes remain just as harrowing.

From Los Angeles Times

Long-time civil rights attorney John Burris, who supported Harris’s decision at the time, said he thought it was “politically was not wise for her, but it was a philosophical position she took”.

From BBC

Related Words

• abstract
• logical
• metaphysical
• profound
• rational
• thoughtful