philosophical

adjective

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

 also  -ˈzä-

variants or less commonly philosophic

ˌfi-lə-ˈsä-fik 

 also  -ˈzä-

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

ˌfi-lə-ˈsä-fi-k(ə-)lē 

 also  -ˈzä-

adverb

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 on the Web

The director’s philosophical approach to the project draws from observations of nature, particularly how rainforests sustain themselves through symbiotic relationships. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 July 2025

His philosophical life came after his tenure as a leader in the tech world at SDG. —Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025

There’s a philosophical belief that all pain and suffering comes from the inability to let go or release. —Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 22 July 2025

Glass lends itself to philosophical musings on impermanence and invisibility, but also to playful humor, reflecting and refracting human vanity and frailty. —Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing philosophical

• philosophical analysis

Rhymes for philosophical

• theosophical
• unphilosophical

Kids Definition

philosophical

adjective

philo·​soph·​i·​cal

ˌfil-ə-ˈsäf-i-kəl

variants also philosophic

-ik

1

: of, relating to, or based on philosophy

2

: characterized by the attitude of a philosopher

especially : calm and patient when faced with trouble

philosophically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb