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

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

“It’s been weird, because I’ve got older, and he sort of stayed the same, like the Dorian Gray picture,” says Keith Scholey, one of the film’s directors, of the 100-year-old broadcasting legend and naturalist.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026

It established Attenborough as the foremost TV naturalist, as well as an iconic British cultural figure.

From BBC ● May 8, 2026

This ‘Nature’ presentation focuses on the naturalist Valmik Thapar and his decades of work documenting and protecting the majestic cats of Ranthambore National Park.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026

He was an amateur naturalist, fond of birds and animals but not of humanity in general.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

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

These included mammals, reptiles, fish, jellyfish, and shrimp collected by Darwin and other naturalists during early scientific expeditions.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 5, 2026

And after a poor year for butterflies in 2024, naturalists say many common species, such as the Large White, also appear to be flourishing this summer.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2025

He linked conservation with the nurturing of new generations of thinkers and naturalists and regarded outdoors education as a crucial strategy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 11, 2025

And the naturalists at the University will love to be able—” “You don’t need to sell me,” she said.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Related Words

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