Word
philosopher
Phoneticsphiloso·pher
US/fəˈɫɑsəfɝ/
UK/fɪlˈɒsəfɐ/
Definitions
01academic or thinker
n. a person who studies or writes about big questions, like the meaning of life or how we should behave.
n. a scholar or expert who contributes to philosophical inquiry, particularly regarding ethics, logic, and the nature of reality.
“The ancient Greek philosopher Plato wrote many books about how to build a fair society.”
“Modern philosophers often debate the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and how it might redefine our understanding of personhood.”
02calm person
n. someone who stays calm and thinks clearly when things go wrong.
n. a person who meets difficulties with calmness and composure, applying rational principles to their conduct.
“He was a bit of a philosopher and didn't get upset when his car broke down.”
“She faced the loss of her fortune like a true philosopher, remaining remarkably composed while those around her panicked.”
Archaic
Usage
In modern English, this sense is usually expressed by the adjective 'philosophical'.
Synonyms
03early scientist
n. in the past, a person who studied any branch of knowledge, including what we now call science.
n. a student or expert in any branch of knowledge, particularly natural sciences before they were formally distinguished from philosophy.
“In the 1600s, a philosopher might spend his time studying both stars and logic.”
“Isaac Newton was often described as a natural philosopher, as the modern distinction between physics and philosophy had not yet been fully established.”
Archaic
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“It was a Greek philosopher, Anaxagoras , who arguably first proposed the correct theory of eclipses after experiencing one in 478BC.” “Like Dreamshook, the exhibition is a celebration of transformative ideas, including tributes to Copernicus, the philosopher Simone Weil and New Jersey’s Barthes of the Beretta, Tony Soprano.” Etymology
From Middle English philosophre, from Anglo-Norman or Middle French philosophe, from Latin philosophus, from Ancient Greek φιλόσοφος (philósophos, literally “lover of wisdom”) + -er. Credited as having been coined by Pythagoras to describe himself. Displaced native Old English ūþwita.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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englishreference.com/q/philosopher