philosophical

play

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-\

Definition of philosophical

1a : of or relating to philosophers or philosophyb : 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

To Kimball, that philosophical point may not matter.

— john bohannon, Science | AAAS, "A new breed of scientist, with brains of silicon", 5 July 2017
Now, Pritchard must answer the challenging question of what the Pacers should do next to improve their philosophical rebuild.

— nate taylor, Indianapolis Star, "Insider: Pacers’ next challenge is free agency after trading Paul George", 1 July 2017
Even still, a philosophical argument of their equality can be put forth until the cows come home.

— leah torres, SELF, "Abortion Is Health Care—End of Story", 27 June 2017
Now that the election drama has subsided, Brooks is philosophical about the experience—even the death threats.

— lauren larson, GQ, "The Ballad of Bobby Brooks, the First Gay Student Body President of Texas A&M", 22 June 2017
At just a couple hundred pages, the book is both fodder for a complex moral and philosophical debate and a quick, engrossing read.

— The Cut, "9 Books We’re Reading This Month", 22 June 2017
There may have been some philosophical message there, but at the time I was captured by the beauty of the scene.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Backstory to the 2017 biotech convention in San Diego", 18 June 2017
Come for the weird tech, but stay for a knotty, philosophical exploration that rejects easy good-versus-evil conflicts.

— annalee newitz, Ars Technica, "In Borne, there’s a biotech apocalypse so weird it’s almost plausible", 15 June 2017
Rather than be frustrated over what happened, Patrick has taken a philosophical approach to the setback that partially derailed his third season with Brandon of the Western Hockey League.

— ap, USA TODAY, "Potential top NHL pick Nolan Patrick discusses battle with sports hernia injury", 2 June 2017

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

Other Philosophy Terms

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

PHILOSOPHICAL Defined for English Language Learners

philosophical

play

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

play

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