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

But Rad said even a third-party candidate, like American philosopher Cornel West, whose approach to domestic and foreign policy resonate with many progressives, has little chance in the current electoral system. —Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024

Amid a long struggle with mental illness, the author and philosopher Robert M. Pirsig invited the nation to join his journey in his 1974 autobiographical novel, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values. —Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2024

Early Americans went to war over the inalienable rights described by philosopher John Locke as the natural rights of life, liberty and property. —Nisha Whitehead, Orange County Register, 14 Apr. 2024

Across eight episodes stuffed full of dull monologues in a country 3,000 miles away from the action of the war, the philosopher’s quest feels both self-serving and arrogant. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024

The Greek philosopher Thales is considered the world’s first scientist for successfully predicting an eclipse in 585 B.C.; an eclipse in 1919 proved that gravity bends light, an instrumental part of affirming Einstein’s theory of general relativity. —Christopher Maag, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024

The first virtual reality headset was actually named after a parable written by Cicero, the Roman philosopher. —Susan Howson, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024

In recent decades, philosophers and theologians have begun to dig into just how transformative care is for our minds and souls. —Phyllis Fagell, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

One of the favorite quotations Carol uses to encourage her executives originates from a visionary leader and philosopher named Frederic Buechner. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024

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