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

Scholars disagree on the potential author of the work, but the mystery author seems to have been a follower of the philosopher Anaxagoras. —Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025

In 1913, the Austrian economist, sociologist, and philosopher Otto Neurath proposed a parallel idea, known as Neurath’s Boat. —Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2025

Austrian logician and philosopher Kurt Gödel (April 28, 1906 - January 14, 1978) is another intellectual who has received this kind of attention. —Theodore McDarrah, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

Advice on life’s trickiest situations and moral dilemmas from the philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah. —Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 10 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