philosopher

noun

phi·​los·​o·​pher fə-ˈlä-s(ə-)fər 

1

a

: a person who seeks wisdom or enlightenment : scholar, thinker

b

: a student of philosophy

2

a

: a person whose philosophical perspective makes meeting trouble with equanimity easier

b

: an expounder of a theory in a particular area of experience

c

: one who philosophizes

Examples of philosopher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 6-foot-9 Thomas is a heady philosopher who likes to influence the game at the point of attack. —Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025

The best candidate may be the pleasant emotion that philosophers and psychologists have identified as resentment’s exact opposite: gratitude. —Sigal Samuel, Vox, 21 Jan. 2025

The proudly backward were validated by self-loathing Western intellectuals, leading philosophers such as Michel Foucault who saw in the revolution a thrilling rebuke to liberal democracy when communism no longer was. —Mariam Memarsadeghi, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025

By not having children, these philosophers argue, people help the unborn avoid the inherent painfulness of life. —Jack Jiang, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English philosophe, philosophre, from Anglo-French, from Latin philosophus, from Greek philosophos, from phil- + sophia wisdom, from sophos wise

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing philosopher

• philosopher's stone

Kids Definition

philosopher

noun

phi·​los·​o·​pher fə-ˈläs-(ə-)fər 

1

a

: a person who seeks wisdom or enlightenment : scholar, thinker

b

: a student of philosophy

2

: a person who is calm and patient when faced with trouble