philosopher

[ fi-los-uh-fer ]

noun

1. a person who offers views or theories on profound questions in ethics, metaphysics, logic, and other related fields.
2. a person who is deeply versed in philosophy.
3. a person who establishes the central ideas of some movement, cult, etc.
4. a person who regulates their life, actions, judgments, utterances, etc., by the light of philosophy or reason.
5. a person who is rationally or sensibly calm, especially under trying circumstances.
6. Obsolete. an alchemist or occult scientist.

philosopher

/ fɪˈlɒsəfə /

noun

1. a student, teacher, or devotee of philosophy
2. a person of philosophical temperament, esp one who is patient, wise, and stoical
3. (formerly) an alchemist or devotee of occult science
4. a person who establishes the ideology of a cult or movement

   the philosopher of the revolution

philosopher

1. Someone who engages in philosophy . Some examples of philosophers are Aristotle , Immanuel Kant , and Plato .

Other Words From

• phi·loso·pher·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of philosopher¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, variant of philosophre from Anglo-French ( Middle French philosophe, from Latin philosophus ); replacing Old English philosoph, from Latin philosophus, from Greek philósophos “philosopher,” equivalent to philo- philo- + soph(ía) “wisdom” ( -sophy ) + -os noun suffix

Example Sentences

Some philosophers deny that there can be facts about values.

From Nautilus

Because of this, philosophers who argue against objective value, such as Bart Streumer from the University of Groningen, cannot consistently believe their own view.

From Nautilus

Philip Goff is a philosopher and consciousness researcher at Durham University.

From Nautilus

Immanuel Kant and Niccolò Machiavelli are, of course, renowned moral and political philosophers who, in Kant’s case, emphasized the ethical strictures of duty and, in Machiavelli’s case, made a virtue of being conniving and clever.

From Nautilus

In 1987 the philosopher Allan Bloom published his treatise on the parlous state of American society and the country’s misguided universities.

From Nautilus

But few of us would recognize the name of Dietrich von Hildebrand, a German philosopher-turned-outspoken Nazi antagonist.

From The Daily Beast

“He was specifically interested in finding a philoso­pher to lead the project,” Sanger recalled.

From The Daily Beast

The Greek philosopher did ethics and tragedy, sure—but he also invented science as we know it.

From The Daily Beast

To paraphrase the renegade philosopher Hannibal, I love it when science comes together.

From The Daily Beast

I asked Honig whether he agrees with the most well-known philosopher on animal welfare, Peter Singer.

From The Daily Beast

He was the friend of Descartes, and a philosopher; distinguished for his eloquence and as an author.

From Project Gutenberg

Andrew Michael Ramsay, a Scottish historian and philosopher, died.

From Project Gutenberg

Let the young philosopher avoid such practice, and give a wide berth to those who follow them.

From Project Gutenberg

My dear, country life is making you a philosopher: and here comes our girl as ready for her dinner as I am.

From Project Gutenberg

Edward Holyoke, president of Harvard college, died; an excellent mathematician and natural philosopher.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• theorist