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

This last claim was false, as the German philosopher Bettina Stangneth proved in her 2011 book Eichmann Before Jerusalem. — Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026

Many philosophers claim that immigration should be understood as a human right. — J. Toby Reiner, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026

Bioethicists and philosophers actively monitor the welfare and cognitive state of the animals as the research progresses. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026

Significant church figures like Thomas Aquinas and the philosopher René Descartes have argued that animals don’t have an immortal soul. — Casper Ter Kuile, Vox, 16 Sep. 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