noun
philosophy
fih-LOS-uh-fee
noun
1
The academic study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and reasoning.
"She majored in philosophy at university."
"The professor specializes in the philosophy of mind."
2
A personal set of beliefs or principles that guides how someone thinks or acts.
"His philosophy is simple: treat others the way you want to be treated."
"The company's design philosophy favors simplicity over flashy features."
3
A calm, thoughtful attitude, especially toward difficulty or loss.
"She faced the diagnosis with remarkable philosophy."
How to Use Philosophy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the academic subject that studies big questions about life and knowledge, or someone's personal set of guiding beliefs.
Common pairings
a philosophy degree
business philosophy
personal philosophy
study philosophy
Word Forms
philosophied past tense, philosophies plural, philosophies singular
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Etymology
From Latin philosophia, borrowed from Ancient Greek philosophia — literally "love of wisdom," from philos ("loving") plus sophia ("wisdom").