philosopher

phi·los·o·pher | \ fə-ˈlä-s(ə-)fər

How to pronounce philosopher (audio)

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Definition of philosopher

1a : a person who seeks wisdom or enlightenment : scholar, thinker

b : a student of philosophy

2a : 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 Per Atlas Obscura’s Jessica Leigh Hester, the Newberry, a research library in Chicago, and the Bentham Project, which preserves the writings of philosopher Jeremy Bentham, are also looking for volunteer transcribers. — Livia Gershon, Smithsonian Magazine, "Library of Congress Seeks Volunteers to Transcribe Letters to Theodore Roosevelt," 4 Dec. 2020 The researchers view the results through the lenses of the 2015 paper titled The Dark Web Dilemma: Tor, Anonymity and Online Policing and On Liberty, the essay published by English philosopher John Stuart Mill in 1859. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, "Does Tor provide more benefit or harm? New paper says it depends," 30 Nov. 2020 As George Berkeley, the 18th-century philosopher of immaterialism, might have asked: What are windows without window shoppers to see them? — Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, "Holiday Windows Aren’t Over. Neither, They Say, Is New York.," 25 Nov. 2020 The 18th century philosopher-politician, Edmund Burke, argued that statesmanship required deciding a course of action by assessing the probable course of events that would unfold. — Tom Mctague, The Atlantic, "The Myths That Bind Obama and Thatcher," 23 Nov. 2020 Who knew that the 20th-century philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein wrote a textbook for children? — Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, "In Playful New Drawings, Artist Paul Chan Revisits One of the 20th Century’s Greatest Thinkers," 10 Nov. 2020 Developed by Princeton philosopher Walter Stace in 1960, that list of effects includes feeling unity with the universe, in touch with something holy, and as though the episode is hyperauthentic—more real than reality. — Sarah Scoles, Popular Science, "What happens when psychedelics make you see God," 9 Nov. 2020 Marfa, Texas is a beautiful somewhere in the middle of nowhere American writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau knew a thing or two about this sentiment, this feeling that nature can center you and be your sacred place. — Alison Medley, Chron, "I survived quarantine through hikes at a Texas park," 7 Nov. 2020 Texas A&M enters the second half of its regular season on a roll, prompting a furrowed-brow response from full-time coach and part-time philosopher Jimbo Fisher. — Brent Zwerneman, ExpressNews.com, "Texas A&M looking for defensive improvement against South Carolina," 6 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'philosopher.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near philosopher

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Statistics for philosopher

Last Updated

8 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Philosopher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/philosopher. Accessed 12 Dec. 2020.

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More Definitions for philosopher

philosopher

noun

English Language Learners Definition of philosopher

: a person who studies ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature and meaning of life, etc. : a person who studies philosophy

See the full definition for philosopher in the English Language Learners Dictionary

philosopher

phi·los·o·pher | \ fə-ˈlä-sə-fər

\

Kids Definition of philosopher

1 : a person who studies ideas about knowledge, right and wrong, reasoning, and the value of things

2 : a person who takes misfortunes with calmness and courage

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