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 the problem could get much worse than recent headlines suggest, or at least that’s the contention of philosopher and computer scientist Eliezer Yudkowsky and his co-writer, Nate Soares. —Book Marks october 2, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025

Prior to Leucippus, earlier scientist-philosophers had devised the concepts of elements as components of reality, and often looked to one component in particular as being the fundamental originator — or arche (ἀρχή) — of all the others. —Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025

In 1654, the French philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal explained the logic of believing in God, expressed as a wager. —Toby Stuart, Time, 29 Sep. 2025

Judith Butler, a renowned American philosopher and gender studies scholar, has long promoted and expanded upon the idea that all gender is performative. —Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 24 Sep. 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