naturalist

American  

[nach-er-uh-list, nach-ruh-] / ˈnætʃ ər ə lɪst, ˈnætʃ rə- /

noun

• naturalists
  plural

1. a person who studies or is an expert in natural history, especially a zoologist or botanist.

2. an adherent of naturalism in literature or art.

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naturalist British  

/ ˈnætʃrəlɪst, -tʃərəl- /

noun

1. a person who is expert or interested in botany or zoology, esp in the field

2. a person who advocates or practises naturalism, esp in art or literature

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naturalist Scientific  

/ năch′ər-ə-lĭst /

1. A person who specializes in natural history, especially in the study of plants and animals in their natural surroundings.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antinaturalist
  noun
• nonnaturalist
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• naturalists
  plural

Etymology

Origin of naturalist

First recorded in 1580–90; natural + -ist

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

naturalist naturalists

Sion Emlyn Davies, a naturalist and wildlife videographer, had been helping to keep an eye on the nest.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

But Oddie's childhood interest in ornithology had never waned and, by the mid 1970s, he was developing a career as a naturalist.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

It was the runaway winner, though the government subsequently said the ship would be named after the naturalist David Attenborough.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

The unusual behavior first came to light after amateur naturalist Eviatar Itzkovich noticed huge swirling groups of isopods during summer nights in the Golan Heights.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 6, 2026

Wallace, a naturalist, was more interested in the palm trees outside the caves than the people who had lived inside them.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

The good news, Mr. McCommons argues, is that we’ve been here before and—through unlikely coalitions of amateur naturalists, clubwomen and conservationists—recognized birds as a resource that needed protection.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 2026

In their publication, the team writes, "His passion and dedication to wildlife education and conservation have inspired naturalists and conservationists worldwide, including the authors of the paper."

From Science Daily ● Dec. 5, 2025

Scientists and amateur naturalists have observed a remarkable range of species not usually widespread in UK waters, including octopus, bluefin tuna and mauve stinger jellyfish.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2025

Big Bear Lake’s famed bald eagle couple has flown the coop, and naturalists are pointing to the city’s July 4th fireworks celebration as the likely culprit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2025

Some naturalists think the population may have been overstated by as much as 20 percent, which means that the moose aren’t being so much culled as slaughtered.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• biologist
• botanist
• conservationist
• ecologist
• environmentalist
• zoologist