Philosophical Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms philosophical American [fil-uh-sof-i-kuhl] / ˌfɪl əˈsɒf ɪ kəl / Also philosophic

adjective

1. of or relating to philosophy.

   philosophical studies.

2. versed in or occupied with philosophy.

3. proper to or befitting a philosopher.

4. rationally or sensibly calm, patient, or composed.

5. Rare. of or relating to natural philosophy or physical science.

philosophical British / ˌfɪləˈsɒfɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to philosophy or philosophers

2. reasonable, wise, or learned

3. calm and stoical, esp in the face of difficulties or disappointments

4. (formerly) of or relating to science or natural philosophy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

• antiphilosophic adjective
• antiphilosophical adjective
• antiphilosophically adverb
• nonphilosophic adjective
• nonphilosophical adjective
• nonphilosophically adverb
• philosophically adverb
• philosophicalness noun
• pseudophilosophical adjective
• quasi-philosophical adjective
• quasi-philosophically adverb
• semiphilosophic adjective
• semiphilosophical adjective
• semiphilosophically adverb
• unphilosophic adjective
• unphilosophical adjective
• unphilosophically adverb

Etymology

Origin of philosophical

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: “learned; pertaining to alchemy,” from Latin philosophic(us) (from Greek philosophikós; philosopher, -ic ) + -al 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The series, which has broken Apple TV audience records previously held by “Severance,” raises philosophical questions about the nature of happiness, altruism and personal freedom.

From The Wall Street Journal

And I’m not talking only social, but personal or philosophical.

From Los Angeles Times

The move was a strategic course correction and exposed a broader philosophical divide inside the company between its pursuit of popularity and its quest for research greatness.

From The Wall Street Journal

We are on a philosophical fence, she says: We tolerate the opacity of human decision-making despite years of research showing our own fallibility.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s a handsome and philosophical set of tunes about life, love and the endless road that Nelson cut just about a mile away from the Fonda at Hollywood’s Sunset Sound.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abstract
• logical
• metaphysical
• profound
• rational
• thoughtful

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.