nature

American  

[ney-cher] / ˈneɪ tʃər /

noun

natures plural

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.

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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.

nature British  

/ 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

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nature Scientific  

/ nā′chər /

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

2. Living organisms and their environments.

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nature More Idioms  

1. see call of nature; good nature; second nature.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antinature
  adjective
• naturelike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• natures
  plural

Etymology

Origin of nature

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; see -ure

Explanation

Your nature is sort of the way you are — the sum total of how you think, feel, and behave. It might be in your nature to remain calm and level-headed when faced with a difficult challenge. Things that aren't people can also have their own nature. You might notice the frantic nature of a political debate, or you might question the nature of your brother's friendships. Nature can also refer to the physical world made up of plants and animals: what you think of as "the great outdoors." You might be a nature lover who enjoys hiking. Nature can also describe natural forces, such as the destructive elements of nature, like a tsunami or a tornado.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nature natures

The determination to do the right thing is a mark of statesmanship as well as virtue, but not necessarily a formula for success in our political state of nature.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

However, those texts were consistently magical or ritual in nature.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026

In the late 1980s – and certainly today, much more so – urban living distanced millions of people from their close connection to nature . . . and their parents.

From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026

As Singh tries to prevent that from happening, his efforts are transposed with Gaitonde’s story, an epic tale that examines the nature of power amid the city’s religious and economic tensions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

Or perhaps kindness and forgiveness were so much a part of her nature that they kept popping to the surface, like one of those cheerful yellow bath duckies they have nowadays.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Wesley Guimarães and Jack Lancaster brought out the contrasting natures of these characters who are drawn to each in ways neither can fully work out.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 9, 2025

It is more difficult to appeal to people’s better natures.

From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2025

The cousins’ complementary natures may have bonded them in their youth, and a genuine and abiding love clearly remains.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2024

Although the origins of the feud are unclear, some observers attributed it to the pair’s competitive natures.

From New York Times ● Nov. 6, 2023

She had never seen anything like it, this many sheydim walking openly outside of Gehinnom, making no effort to disguise their feet or their true natures.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Related Words

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