What does empiricist mean?
An empiricist is someone who holds that knowledge is grounded in experience — in what we can observe, test, and measure — rather than in innate ideas, intuition, or pure reasoning alone. The term is most closely associated with philosophy: the British empiricists, notably John Locke, George Berkeley, and David Hume, argued in opposition to rationalists such as Descartes that the mind begins as something like a blank slate and is filled by sensory experience. Beyond philosophy, the word describes any scientist, doctor, or thinker who insists on evidence before accepting a claim. Calling someone an empiricist usually signals respect for their rigor and skepticism toward untested theory. Related forms include the adjective 'empirical', which describes evidence drawn from observation or experiment, and the noun 'empiricism', the broader doctrine itself. The word derives from the Greek 'empeiria', meaning experience, reflecting its origins among ancient physicians who learned by treating patients directly rather than by following abstract doctrines.
nounA person who believes that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience and observation rather than from innate ideas or pure reasoning; more generally, anyone who relies on practical observation and experiment in forming beliefs or theories.
- (Philosophy) A proponent of empiricism — the doctrine that all knowledge derives from sense experience.
- (More generally) Someone who relies on observation, experiment, or practical evidence rather than theory or intuition.
"As an empiricist, she refused to accept the theory until the data supported it."
"Locke, Berkeley, and Hume are the classic British empiricists of early modern philosophy."
"In the lab he was a strict empiricist, trusting only what his instruments could measure."
Standard regular plural; commonly used when referring collectively to philosophers of the empiricist tradition.
"The British empiricists reshaped modern epistemology."
The word 'empiricist' traces back to Greek 'empeiria', meaning experience — the ancient physicians who treated patients by trial and error, with no grand theory at all.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of empiricist
The word 'empiricist' derives from 'empiric', which comes from the Latin 'empiricus', borrowed from the Greek 'empeirikos', meaning experienced or skilled through trial, from 'empeiria' (experience). In antiquity, the Empiric school of medicine rejected theoretical explanations and relied solely on observed experience. The term entered English usage in the 17th century, and 'empiricist' came to denote adherents of empiricism, especially as the doctrine took shape in the works of Locke, Berkeley, and Hume.
Related word forms
How empiricist is actually used
Mostly used in philosophical, scientific, and academic contexts; it carries a neutral to positive connotation, implying rigor and a respect for evidence. In casual speech 'empirical' (adjective) is far more common than the noun 'empiricist'.
Easily confused with empiricist
An imperialist advocates for empire-building and political domination, while an empiricist bases knowledge on observation and experience — the words merely sound somewhat alike.