human nature

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.

human nature

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of human nature¹

First recorded in 1735–45

Example Sentences

"These animals are a great way for us to hold a mirror up to human nature and the mistakes that we make."

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She believed the best novels entertained with “wit and humour” and conveyed “knowledge of human nature.”

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"Will AI take over the world? No, this is a projection of human nature on machines," he told the BBC.

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“These children are horrible,” Tolstoy shortly observed, thus displaying the deep insight into human nature that would characterize his later work.

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‘There’s nothing new under the sun’ suggests that human nature doesn’t change,” Burns told me.

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