philosophy
Pluralphilosophies (some meanings)
Pluralphilosophies (some meanings)
Formsphilosophies, philosophying, philosophied
- 1The study of big questions about life, knowledge, and existence, using careful thinking instead of experiments.
Like asking 'why?' over and over until you reach the deepest question.
She studies philosophy at college and loves the late-night debates.
Philosophy asks why we exist and how we know things are true.
UsageSay study philosophy, with no a.
Note
- 2The main ideas or rules that guide how a person or group thinks and acts.
Like a rule book you keep in your head for how to do something.
Her teaching philosophy puts kindness before grades.
What is your philosophy on raising kids?
UsageSay a philosophy of something, or design philosophy.
- 3
Less common meanings
- 4The love of wisdom, which is what the word first meant.
In its first sense, philosophy was simply the love of wisdom, not a school subject.
True philosophy delights in learning for its own sake.
Note
- 5A calm, steady way of facing trouble without getting upset.
Like staying calm as a still lake even when the wind blows.
She faced the bad news with philosophy and a quiet smile.
He took the loss with real philosophy, never once complaining.
UsageSay with philosophy: take bad news with philosophy.
Similarequanimity, composure, patience, stoicism
- 6The study of nature and its underlying laws, treated long ago as pure science.
Note
- 7To think or talk deeply about life's big questions.
Plato hath (in my seeming) loved this manner of Philosophying, Dialogue wise in good earnest, that therby he might more decently place in sundry mouthes the diversity and variation of his owne conceits.
1603, Michel de Montaigne, The EssayesHere, Philosophying means reasoning about deep questions through discussion.UsageToday people say philosophize.
Note
- 8A small size of printing type, the same as small pica.
Although I prefer small pica. Or as its^([sic]) sometimes known, philosophy. – Small pica, or philosophy, she said. It sounds like the title of a novel. With a girl heroine.
2010, Thomas Wharton, SalamanderHere, philosophy means a size of printing type, the same as small pica.Note
Showing meanings only.
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of philosophy apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It comes from Ancient Greek, from words meaning "loving" (phílos) and "wisdom" (sophía). It reached English through Latin and Old French.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- The word ultimately comes from Ancient Greek components meaning loving and wisdom. en.wikipedia.org
- The word reached English through Latin and Old French. en.wiktionary.org