Stoicism Meaning
/ˈstəʊɪsɪzəm/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA school of philosophy popularized during the Roman Empire that emphasized reason as a means of understanding the natural state of things, or logos, and as a means of freeing oneself from emotional distress.
nounA real or pretended indifference to pleasure or pain; insensibility; impassiveness.
Sentence Examples
There's more to Stoicism than Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus.
CEFR Practice Quiz
His ____ during the long illness impressed everyone, as he never complained.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Classical ____ teaches that individuals should maintain a sense of calm regardless of their circumstances.
Word Origin & History
From Latin stōicismus. By surface analysis, stoic + -ism. First attested in the 1620s.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Jones’ sad eyes betray a pervasive pain his purposefully spare dialogue only hints at, while the perfectly cast Brolin conveys hints of playfulness and warmth while staying true to the craggy stoicism at the character’s core."
— 2012 May 24, Nathan Rabin, “Film: Reviews: Men In Black 3”, in The Onion AV Club, archived from the original on 05 Feb 2013:
"Although very distant from the lives of her subjects – she never went to school and had only the most fleeting experiences of being on equal terms with anyone – she grew into a much respected figure, admired for her stoicism and diligence"
— 2022 September 8, Stephen Bates, “Queen Elizabeth II obituary”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 02 Nov 2022:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
His ____ during the long illness impressed everyone, as he never complained.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Classical ____ teaches that individuals should maintain a sense of calm regardless of their circumstances.