naturalist
Americannoun
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a person who studies or is an expert in natural history, especially a zoologist or botanist.
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an adherent of naturalism in literature or art.
noun
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a person who is expert or interested in botany or zoology, esp in the field
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a person who advocates or practises naturalism, esp in art or literature
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of naturalist
Explanation
That neighborhood kid who is always collecting butterflies and leaves? He just might grow up to be a naturalist, or a scientist who specializes in studying nature. A biologist whose interest lies primarily in the study of plants or animals can be called a naturalist, although these days it's more likely she'll be called a natural historian, a botanist, or a zoologist. The noun naturalist comes from the Latin word natura, "course of things, natural character, the universe," or literally, "birth." Be careful not to confuse naturalist with naturist, which is another word for a person who prefers to be naked — a nudist.
Vocabulary lists containing naturalist
"The Origin of Species by Natural Selection" by Charles Darwin: Essential Words
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The Most Beautiful Roof in the World
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On the Origin of Species
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Naturalist and narrator extraordinaire David Attenborough is likely beyond the point where he wants to wrestle a baby gorilla in the mountains of Rwanda.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
Naturalist and presenter Chris Packham believes "empowering" voters should be the focus.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2025
Scientists have closely analyzed and quantitatively described this behavior among lyrebirds in the wild, work now published in The American Naturalist.
From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2024
Naturalist John Muir described sheep as “hoofed locusts” for their ability to strip the landscape.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2023
As Pliny the Naturalist saith, “No man is wise in every hour. ”
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
