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 Russian nationalist philosopher, said to be close to the thinking of Vladimir Putin. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026

More than a musician, Fela was a political force, a philosopher of sound, and one of the most important African voices of the 20th century. —Obi Asika, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026

These philosophers believe their system can comprehensively map everything. —Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026

References to harems appear in the writings of the French playwright Jean Racine and the philosopher Montesquieu, as well as the operas of Mozart and Rossini. —Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026

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