'philosophy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'philosophia,' where 'philo-' meant 'loving' and 'sophia' meant 'wisdom'.

'philosophy' came into English via Latin and Old French: Greek 'philosophia' → Latin 'philosophia' → Old French 'philosophie' → Middle English 'philosophie', eventually becoming modern English 'philosophy'.

Initially, it literally meant 'love of wisdom,' but over time it came to refer more broadly to the study of fundamental questions about knowledge, reality, and values, as well as to particular systems of belief or guiding principles.