empiricist

C2 Topic:Word Formation & Derivatives

US /emˈpɪr.ə.sɪst/ UK /ɪmˈpɪr.ɪ.sɪst/ See IPA manual

Freq #158238

Meanings

1

noun
a philosopher or thinker who holds that knowledge comes chiefly from experience and observation

The empiricist demanded observational evidence rather than an appeal to innate ideas.
2

adj
supporting or characteristic of empiricism

The study takes an empiricist approach and tests every claim against observation.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a philosopher or thinker... empirical philosopherempiric

2 adj · supporting or... empiricalexperience-based

Opposites

rationalistapriorist

Word family

Forms empiricists

Related forms empiricism empirical experience rationalism

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

empiricist philosophy
a view of knowledge that treats experience as its main source

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From empiric + -ist. Empiric comes through Latin empiricus from Greek empeirikos ("experienced"), based on empeiria ("experience"). The word names an adherent of empiricism or describes an approach grounded in that doctrine.

Topics

Word Formation & Derivatives Register & Style General Vocabulary

External links

# empiricist

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun, adj
**IPA (US):** /emˈpɪr.ə.sɪst/
**IPA (UK):** /ɪmˈpɪr.ɪ.sɪst/
**Frequency rank:** 158238

## Meanings
1. a philosopher or thinker who holds that knowledge comes chiefly from experience and observation
2. supporting or characteristic of empiricism

## Examples
- The empiricist demanded observational evidence rather than an appeal to innate ideas.
- The study takes an empiricist approach and tests every claim against observation.

## Synonyms
- empirical philosopher
- empiric
- empirical
- experience-based

## Antonyms
- rationalist
- apriorist

## Related Forms
- empiricism
- empirical
- experience
- rationalism

## Etymology
From empiric + -ist. Empiric comes through Latin empiricus from Greek empeirikos ("experienced"), based on empeiria ("experience"). The word names an adherent of empiricism or describes an approach grounded in that doctrine.

## Topics
- Word Formation & Derivatives
- Register & Style
- General Vocabulary

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