philosopher

1. A lover of wisdom.
2. A student of philosophy.
3. A scholar or expert engaged in or contributing to philosophical inquiry.
4. (archaic) A person who applies the principles of philosophy to the conduct of their life, as by acting calmly and rationally in the face of inevitable change.
5. (archaic) A student, scholar, or expert in any branch of knowledge, especially those branches studied prior to being considered part of pure science.
6. (obsolete) An alchemist.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/fɪˈlɒs.ə.fə(ɹ)/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: philosophre

In summary

From Middle English philosophre, from Anglo-Norman or Middle French philosophe, from Latin philosophus, from Ancient Greek φιλόσοφος (philósophos, literally “lover of wisdom”) + -er.
Credited as having been coined by Pythagoras to describe himself.
Displaced native Old English ūþwita.

Synonyms

sage

savant

thinker

scholar

intellectual

learned man

wise person

wise man

scientist

🧑‍🔬

speculator

theorist

learned person

Zoilus

intelligent person

authority

Lao-tzu

experimenter

guru

highbrow

logician

metaphysician

professor

pundit

Sentences

He was the presumptive father of philosopher Edmund Montgomery .