1. A French intellectual or philosopher of the 18th century, especially one associated with the Enlightenment who advocated reason, science, and social reform.
Usage: historical; often capitalized when referring to the specific movement; French origin; used in English historical and literary contexts

Examples

• Voltaire was one of the most famous philosophes of the French Enlightenment.
• The philosophes challenged traditional authority and promoted scientific thinking.
• Diderot and d'Alembert, both philosophes, edited the influential Encyclopédie.
• The philosophes believed that reason could improve society and human life.
• Many philosophes were critical of the Church's influence on government and education.