philosophical

adjective

phil·​o·​soph·​i·​cal ˌfi-lə-ˈsä-fi-kəl 

 also  -ˈzä-

variants or less commonly philosophic

ˌfi-lə-ˈsä-fik 

 also  -ˈzä-

1

a

: of or relating to philosophers or philosophy

b

: based on philosophy

2

: characterized by the attitude of a philosopher

specifically : calm or unflinching in the face of trouble, defeat, or loss

philosophically

ˌfi-lə-ˈsä-fi-k(ə-)lē 

 also  -ˈzä-

adverb

Examples of philosophical in a Sentence

They got into a philosophical debate about what it means for something to be “natural.”

He's trying to be philosophical about their decision since he knows he can't change it.

Recent Examples on the Web

Conclave reduces philosophical and spiritual issues to the cheapest and most banal melodrama. —Armond White, National Review, 19 Feb. 2025

At a certain point, Corson said, STAR bonds enter the realm of a philosophical debate – are municipalities losing out on tax revenue because the dollars go toward paying off bonds, or would the revenue have never otherwise been collected without the STAR bond project? —Jonathan Shorman and, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2025

The Civilization games have attracted considerable academic and philosophical attention because of their popularity and their attempts to tackle all of human history. —Rollo Romig, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2025

The book included detailed technical proposals alongside philosophical arguments. —Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing philosophical

• philosophical analysis

Rhymes for philosophical

• theosophical
• unphilosophical

Kids Definition

philosophical

adjective

philo·​soph·​i·​cal

ˌfil-ə-ˈsäf-i-kəl

variants also philosophic

-ik

1

: of, relating to, or based on philosophy

2

: characterized by the attitude of a philosopher

especially : calm and patient when faced with trouble

philosophically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb