nature

American  

[ney-cher] / ˈneɪ tʃər /

noun

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

• antinature adjective
• naturelike adjective

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; -ure

Example Sentences

The nature of the threat posed by sand pits was put aptly by golf writer Aleck Bauer in 1913: “Bunkers are not intended to be pleasure grounds but places of repentance.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Depending on the nature of the project and the contract, a bond might cost a factory three-quarters of a percentage point to 3% of a contract’s entire cost, he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

For investors seeking out safer bets this year, the defensive nature of the wireless sector has held appeal.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

A licence is also required from Scotland's nature body, NatureScot, due to the presence of otters in the area.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Mrs. Meyer, you said on the phone that you’re hoping to move forward with this as quickly as possible, and I think, given the extremely public nature of this incident, that’s a good idea.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

Related Words

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