human nature

American  

noun

1. the psychological and social qualities that characterize humankind, especially in contrast with other living things.

2. Sociology. the character of human conduct, generally regarded as produced by living in primary groups.

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human nature British  

noun

1. the qualities common to humanity

2. ordinary human behaviour, esp considered as less than perfect

3. sociol the unique elements that form a basic part of human life and distinguish it from other animal life

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Etymology

Origin of human nature

First recorded in 1735–45

Example Sentences

If the jury sides with Kaley, it would upset decades of legal and cultural precedent that have treated platforms as mere repositories of human nature.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

But this candid and absorbing memoir is also a stark reminder of the corruptions of power, the uncertainties of revolution and the frequent viciousness of human nature.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

The violence feels counterintuitive to human nature — and specifically the nature of Minnesotans.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2026

It’s human nature to want to chase the stocks up the most and sell after large pullbacks, but letting emotions drive decisions is a recipe for underperformance.

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

Whether it was Cuba, Russia, or the United States, whether about the nature of crime, money, or bureaucracies—or human nature in general, including how many people really belonged in prison—their views rarely matched.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French