nature

[ney-cher]

noun

1. the material world, especially as surrounding humankind and existing independently of human activities.

2. the natural world as it exists without human beings or civilization.

   In nature, wild dogs hunt in packs.

3. the elements of the natural world, as mountains, trees, animals, or rivers.

   The abandoned power plant was reclaimed by nature, covered in overgrowth and home to feral animals.

4. natural scenery.

   Tourists at the resort are surrounded by nature.

5. the universe, with all its phenomena.

   Conservation of energy is a universal law of nature.

6. the sum total of the forces at work throughout the universe.

7. reality, as distinguished from any effect of art.

   a portrait true to nature.

8. the particular combination of qualities belonging to a person, animal, thing, or class by birth, origin, or constitution; native or inherent character.

   human nature.

9. the instincts or inherent tendencies directing conduct.

   a man of good nature.

10. character, kind, or sort.

    two books of the same nature.

11. characteristic disposition; temperament: an evil nature.

    a self-willed nature;

    an evil nature.

12. the original, natural, uncivilized condition of humankind.

13. the biological functions or the urges to satisfy their requirements.

14. a primitive, wild condition; an uncultivated state.

15. a simple, uncluttered mode of life without the conveniences or distractions of civilization.

    a return to nature.

16. (initial capital letter, italics),  a prose work (1836), by Ralph Waldo Emerson, expounding transcendentalism.

17. Theology.,  the moral state as unaffected by grace.

nature

/ ˈneɪtʃə /

noun

1. the fundamental qualities of a person or thing; identity or essential character

2. (often capital, esp when personified) the whole system of the existence, arrangement, forces, and events of all physical life that are not controlled by man

3. all natural phenomena and plant and animal life, as distinct from man and his creations

4. a wild primitive state untouched by man or civilization

5. natural unspoilt scenery or countryside

6. disposition or temperament

7. tendencies, desires, or instincts governing behaviour

8. the normal biological needs or urges of the body

9. sort; kind; character

10. the real appearance of a person or thing

    a painting very true to nature

11. accepted standards of basic morality or behaviour

12. biology the complement of genetic material that partly determines the structure of an organism; genotype Compare nurture

13. sympathy and fondness for one's own people or native place

    she is full of nature

14. unnatural or immoral

15. essentially or innately

16. informal,  the need to urinate or defecate

17. using natural models in drawing, painting, etc

18. essentially the same as; by way of

nature

1. The world and its naturally occurring phenomena, together with all of the physical laws that govern them.

2. Living organisms and their environments.

Other Word Forms

• naturelike adjective
• antinature adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nature¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English natur(e), from Old French, from Latin nātūra “conditions of birth, quality, character, natural order, world,” equivalent to nāt(us) (past participle of nāscī “to be born”) + -ūra noun suffix; -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of nature¹

C13: via Old French from Latin nātūra, from nātus, past participle of nascī to be born

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. of / in the nature of, having the character or qualities of.

   in the nature of an apology.

2. in a state of nature,

   1. in an uncivilized or uncultured condition.

   2. without clothes; nude; naked.

3. by nature, as a result of inborn or inherent qualities; innately.

   She is by nature a kindhearted person.

see call of nature; good nature; second nature.

Example Sentences

The nature of the IT issue - which was declared a major incident - has not yet been explained, although it has been resolved, and the Department of Health has said an "urgent investigation" is under way.

From BBC

True public discourse of this nature, though, is rooted in the liberal arts, which teaches critical thinking, research and analysis, communication styles and problem solving, among other vital skills.

From Salon

The nature of that content was chilling: Vance and Miller promised that they’d use the death of Kirk, who billed himself as a champion of free speech as an opportunity to destroy that very right.

From Salon

Because of the nature of my research, I often get a version of this question from my students: “How do you change someone’s mind if they say they’re a socialist?”

From Salon

Humanity is a word we use to describe what is supposed to be our essential nature — caring, compassionate, self-sacrificing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• description 
• essence 
• humor 
• mood 
• personality 
• quality 
• type