Philosophical
/ˌfɪl.əˈsɒf.ɪ.kəl/noun
Relating to philosophy or the study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and reality.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Greek philosophia, and its first element philos is tied to love and friendship — the ancient idea that wisdom was something you had to court, not just learn.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
philosophia
“love of wisdom”
Late Latin
Latin
philosophia
“philosophy, the pursuit of wisdom”
Old French
Old French
philosophie
“philosophy”
Middle English
English
philosophie
“philosophy”
16th Century
English
philosophical
“relating to philosophy; later, calm and rational in temperament”
Explore more surprising origins