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 philosopher Raymond Geuss has a story that captures the idea nicely. —Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2025

The contrasting ideas of the English philosopher John Stuart Mill, a progressive social reformer, and the Austrian economist Friedrich Hayek, an advocate of traditional institutions and market society, illuminate the breadth of and tensions within the liberal tradition. —Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

In a podcast interview with Patrick Bet-David, Rousseau – who readily brings up the racial and societal theories of philosophers stretching back centuries – was asked his view on Adolf Hitler. —Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025

The philosopher-entrepreneur of cashmere has stepped in front of the camera to play the most challenging role of all—himself—in Brunello, The Gracious Visionary, a docu-film tracing the arc of his life and ideals. —Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 5 Dec. 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