philosopher
Pluralphilosophers
- 1A person who studies big questions about life, knowledge, and what is right.
Like a scientist, but instead of studying nature, they study ideas.
The philosopher argued that free will and cause-and-effect can both be true.
Several philosophers gathered to discuss what the mind really is.
Similarthinker
- 2Someone who studies philosophy, often at a school or college.
Like a music student learning the basics, except the subject is ideas about life.
The philosopher took notes during her first class on ancient thinkers.
Every philosopher in the class read the same book about logic.
- 3A person who loves wisdom and wants to understand the world.
Like someone who loves music so much they spend all their time learning about it.
He called himself a philosopher because he loved to learn and ask big questions.
The old philosophers cared more about wisdom than about money or fame.
Note
Less common meanings
- 4A person who stays calm and reasonable when life brings changes they cannot stop.
Like someone who keeps a cool head when everything around them goes wrong.
Like a philosopher, he stayed calm when he lost his job.
She faced the bad news like a philosopher, without panic or tears.
Note
- 5A person who studies any field of knowledge, especially older forms of science.
Like a scientist from long ago, back when one person studied many subjects.
The philosopher studied the stars long before we called such work science.
An old philosopher might study plants, stars, and metals all at once.
Note
- 6Someone who tried to turn metals into gold and find magic cures.
Like a magician of long ago who tried to make gold from cheaper metals.
The old philosopher mixed strange liquids, hoping to make gold from lead.
Then thus conclude I, since that God of heaven Will not that these philosophers neven How that a man shall come unto this stone, I rede as for the best to let it gon.
1813, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales: The Canon's Yeoman's TaleHere, philosophers means alchemists trying to make a magic stone.Note
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of philosopher apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It comes from Greek 'philósophos', meaning 'lover of wisdom'. It reached English through Latin and French.