# philosophy

> English word · Noun · IPA /fɪˈlɒ.sə.fi/ · frequency rank #3,077

## Definitions
1. An academic discipline that seeks truth through reasoning rather than empiricism, often attempting to provide explanations relating to general concepts such as existence and rationality.
2. A view or outlook regarding fundamental principles underlying some domain.
3. A general principle (usually moral).
4. A comprehensive system of belief.
5. The love of wisdom.
6. A calm and thoughtful demeanor; calmness of temper.
7. Synonym of small pica (especially in French printing).
8. A broader branch of (non-applied) science.

## Etymology
From Middle English philosophie, Old French philosophie, and their source, Latin philosophia, from Ancient Greek φιλοσοφία (philosophía), from φίλος (phílos, “loving”) + σοφία (sophía, “wisdom”). By surface analysis, philo- + -sophy. Displaced Old English ūþwitegung.

## Easily confused with
- **philosopher** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/philosopher-vs-philosophy)

## Common misspellings (16)
`hpilosophy`, `phhilosophy`, `phillosophy`, `philoosphy`, `philosohpy`, `philosophhy`, `philosophyy`, `philosopphy`, `philosopyh`, `philospohy`, `philossophy`, `philsoophy`, `phiolsophy`, `phliosophy`, `pihlosophy`, `pphilosophy`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/philosophy