philosophical

adjective phil·o·soph·i·cal \ ˌfi-lə-ˈsä-fi-kəl also -ˈzä- \

variants: or less commonly philosophic play \ˌfi-lə-ˈsä-fik also -ˈzä-\

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of philosophical

1 a : of or relating to philosophers or philosophy

b : based on philosophy

2 : characterized by the attitude of a philosopher; specifically : calm or unflinching in the face of trouble, defeat, or loss

—

philosophically

play \ˌfi-lə-ˈsä-fi-k(ə-)lē also -ˈzä-\ adverb

See philosophical defined for English-language learners

See philosophical defined for kids

Examples of philosophical in a Sentence

They got into a philosophical debate about what it means for something to be “natural.”
He's trying to be philosophical about their decision since he knows he can't change it.

Recent Examples of philosophical from the Web

Sartre and Beauvoir had become a living and philosophical gold standard, especially for Boris Vian’s generation.

— Longreads, "When Sartre and Beauvoir Started a Magazine," 10 Apr. 2018
Combining topical reporting with delvings into the history of ideas and some political-philosophical musing in the author’s own voice, this relatively short book covers a vast canvas.

— The Economist, "Understand Putin by understanding his favourite thinkers," 5 Apr. 2018
Some parents feel like the values taught by schools go against the family's religious or philosophical values.

— amy schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The reasons for homeschooling are varied. Even within the same family.," 5 Apr. 2018
This emergence, though, is not due to philosophical revelations or spiritual enlightenment.

— john nosta, Fortune, "Commentary: Can Technology Make Us Even More Human?," 5 Apr. 2018
Slender, silver-haired and impeccably dressed, Mr. Kushner, 63, was by turns charming, blunt and philosophical, an engaging contrast to Jared Kushner’s more stilted persona.

— sharon lafraniere and katie benner, New York Times, "The Kushners Saw Redemption in the White House. It Was a Mirage.," 1 Apr. 2018
Regulation, or at least, settling on a philosophical approach to regulation, always takes time.

— aarian marshall, WIRED, "The Lose-Lose Ethics of Testing Self-Driving Cars in Public," 23 Mar. 2018
Its length — the one-act play runs one hour with no intermission — doesn't allow the time or space needed to deliver satisfying answers to many of the questions, both practical and philosophical, that the play proposes.

— mitchel benson, sacbee, "Cap Stage‘s ‘Arsonists’ sparks provocative ideas about life, death and family legacies | The Sacramento Bee," 21 Mar. 2018
By trying to exclude those service businesses, though, Congress ended up asking the IRS to settle some rather absurd philosophical and semantic conundrums.

— bloomberg, latimes.com, "No one's sure who qualifies for this $415-billion tax deduction," 12 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of philosophical

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Philosophy Terms

dialectic, dualism, epistemology, existentialism, metaphysics, ontology, sequitur, solipsism, transcendentalism

PHILOSOPHICAL Defined for English Language Learners

philosophical

adjective

Definition of philosophical for English Language Learners

: of, relating to, or based on philosophy
: having a calm attitude toward a difficult or unpleasant situation

PHILOSOPHICAL Defined for Kids

philosophical

adjective phil·o·soph·i·cal \ ˌfi-lə-ˈsä-fi-kəl \

variants: also philosophic \-ˈsä-fik\

Definition of philosophical for Students

1 : of or relating to the study of basic ideas about knowledge, right and wrong, reasoning, and the value of things

2 : showing wisdom and calm when faced with misfortune

—

philosophically

adverb

Learn More about philosophical

Nglish: Translation of philosophical for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of philosophical for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up philosophical? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

philosophical

Definition of philosophical

philosophically

Examples of philosophical in a Sentence

Recent Examples of philosophical from the Web

First Known Use of philosophical

Other Philosophy Terms

PHILOSOPHICAL Defined for English Language Learners

philosophical

Definition of philosophical for English Language Learners

PHILOSOPHICAL Defined for Kids

philosophical

Definition of philosophical for Students

philosophically

Learn More about philosophical

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

mollycoddle

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

Spell It

Add Diction

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

philosophical

Definition of philosophical

philosophically

Examples of philosophical in a Sentence

Recent Examples of philosophical from the Web

First Known Use of philosophical

Other Philosophy Terms

PHILOSOPHICAL Defined for English Language Learners

philosophical

Definition of philosophical for English Language Learners

PHILOSOPHICAL Defined for Kids

philosophical

Definition of philosophical for Students

philosophically

Learn More about philosophical

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes