philosophical
- 1Relating to philosophy or to the study of knowledge, existence, and reasoned thought.
Her early philosophical training shaped how she argued every case.
The seminar examined a philosophical question that has puzzled thinkers for centuries.
- 2Calm and accepting in the face of difficulty or loss; not easily upset by misfortune.
Like a sailor who shrugs at a passing storm, confident it will blow over.
After the company folded, she stayed surprisingly philosophical about her sudden change of fortune.
The old farmer was philosophical about the drought, trusting that better seasons would follow.
Similarstoical, resigned, calm, unperturbed
Oppositeupset
- 3Marked by careful reasoning and a thoughtful, critically minded approach to ideas.
Her philosophical temperament led her to question assumptions others took for granted.
The debate rewarded a philosophical mind willing to follow an argument wherever it led.
Similarthoughtful, reflective, contemplative
Practice
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Origin
Formed from philosophy plus the suffix -ical. Philosophy comes from the Ancient Greek φιλοσοφία (philosophía, 'love of knowledge, scientific learning'), and the word displaced the native Old English ūþwitlīċ.