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.

---

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

---

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

Classes look a lot like college in an earlier era: more Great Books and Socratic method, less arcana and critical theory.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

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

For example, GPT-4 can assume a Socratic style of conversation and respond to questions with questions.

From Reuters • Mar. 15, 2023

Many of the professors used the Socratic method—direct, repetitive, and adversarial questioning—which had the incidental effect of humiliating unprepared students.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson