# philosophical

/ˌfɪɫəˈsɑfɪkəɫ/ (US) · /fˌɪləsˈɒfɪkəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/philosophical
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. relating to philosophy

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

relating to the study of ideas about knowledge, right and wrong, and the meaning of life.

For teachers: pertaining to the academic or theoretical study of philosophy.

- The two friends had a long philosophical discussion about whether people are born good.
- The professor's latest book explores the philosophical foundations of modern democracy, questioning the ethical assumptions of early political theorists.

### 2. calm and accepting

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

staying calm and not getting upset when you face a difficult or disappointing situation.

For teachers: demonstrating a calm, stoic, or detached attitude toward hardship or misfortune.

- He was very philosophical about losing his job, saying it was just a chance to start something new.
- Despite the sudden cancellation of her research grant, she remained philosophical, viewing the setback as an opportunity to refine her methodology.

### 3. thoughtful and rational

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

thinking about things in a very careful, deep, and logical way.

For teachers: characterized by a rational, analytic, or critically minded approach to a subject.

- She took a philosophical approach to the problem, looking at the facts instead of her feelings.
- The committee adopted a philosophical stance on the issue, prioritizing long-term logical consistency over immediate political gains.

## Examples

- He was quite philosophical about losing his job.
- Despite the heavy rain ruining the outdoor wedding, the couple remained philosophical and moved the party inside.
- Adopting a philosophical stance toward the inevitable setbacks of scientific research allows a team to maintain morale during long periods of trial and error.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.