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

As the philosopher Earl Weaver once noted, momentum is the next day’s starting pitcher, which, roughly translated, means hold your horses. —Kevin Sherrington mar. 27, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026

Both its physical abilities and global history actively subvert the philosopher’s aphorism. —Andrés Muedano, JSTOR Daily, 25 Mar. 2026

Or for a philosopher, for that matter. —Caleb Crain, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

One of the most important figures in the history of conservatism is the 18th-century Irish statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke. —Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026

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