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

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

From Barron's

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC

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

From Salon

Flowers said the true-crime genre’s popularity is related to human nature.

From The Wall Street Journal