second nature

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noun

an acquired habit or tendency in one's character that is so deeply ingrained as to appear automatic: Neatness is second nature to him.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of second nature

First recorded in 1655–65

Words nearby second nature

second mate, secondment, second messenger, second mortgage, second name, second nature, secondo, second of arc, second papers, second person, second position

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use second nature in a sentence

With the right planner, keeping track of your time and both short-term and long-term goals will become second nature.
Best daily planners to boost your productivity|Rowan Lyons|August 21, 2021|Popular-Science
Before the pandemic, it was second nature to come into the office and meet people face to face.
How the Pandemic Paved the Way for a More Sustainable Work Culture in Japan|Kentaro Okuda|August 12, 2021|Time
Once you wrap your head around that for a few meal prep sessions, it will become second nature.
Best kitchen scales: This handy kitchen essential is a must-have for baking and beyond|Irena Collaku|July 24, 2021|Popular-Science
It all felt second nature to Glover, who grew up with seven siblings near the Tasmania bushlands and now splits her time between New York and Australia.
‘Wild Child’ Is a Perfect Cookbook for Family Campouts|Heather Greenwood Davis|May 30, 2021|Outside Online

While he found delivering the pitch second nature, the fast math he had to calculate on stage as the investors kept changing their offers proved really difficult.
A Green Ski-Wax Company Gets Funded on 'Shark Tank'|Joe Jackson|February 9, 2021|Outside Online
Gunshots rang out in Paris this morning on a second day of deadly violence that has stunned the French capital.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And as he adjusted to this change in circumstances, he screamed at himself a second time: Wait!
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A second document was titled: “Gambia Reborn: A Charter for Transition from Dictatorship to Democracy and Development.”
The Shadowy U.S. Veteran Who Tried to Overthrow a Country|Jacob Siegel|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If 29 vote for someone else, the race for speaker goes to a second ballot for the first time in almost 100 years.
Kamikaze Congress Prepares to Strike Boehner|Ben Jacobs|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
At least 29 fellow Republicans must vote against Boehner for a second ballot to be reached, and that seems very unlikely.
The YOLO Caucus' New Cry for Attention|Ben Jacobs|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In treble, second and fourth, the first change is a dodge behind; and the second time the treble leads, there's a double Bob.
Tintinnalogia, or, the Art of Ringing|Richard Duckworth and Fabian Stedman
This is one of the most striking manifestations of the better side of child-nature and deserves a chapter to itself.
Children's Ways|James Sully
Of course the expression of this value is modified and characterized by the nature of the thing spoken of.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
On his head was the second-hand hat of some parvenu's coachman, gold lace, cockade and all.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
The beauty, the mystery,—this fierce sunshine or something—stir——' She hesitated for a fraction of a second.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood

British Dictionary definitions for second nature

second nature

noun

a habit, characteristic, etc, not innate but so long practised or acquired as to seem so

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with second nature

second nature

A habit or mode of behavior so long practiced that it seems innate, as in Driving in heavy traffic is second nature to Chris. This expression is a shortened form of an ancient proverb, Custom (or usage) is a second nature, first recorded in 1390. It alludes to the fact that very frequently repeating something makes it seem completely natural or inborn.

second nature

Origin of second nature

Words nearby second nature

Words related to second nature

How to use second nature in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for second nature

Other Idioms and Phrases with second nature