human nature
Americannoun
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the psychological and social qualities that characterize humankind, especially in contrast with other living things.
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Sociology. the character of human conduct, generally regarded as produced by living in primary groups.
noun
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the qualities common to humanity
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ordinary human behaviour, esp considered as less than perfect
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sociol the unique elements that form a basic part of human life and distinguish it from other animal life
Etymology
Origin of human nature
First recorded in 1735–45
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Even when overnight wealth just seems too easy and know-nothings have the confidence of experts, it’s human nature to join the crowd and drown out warnings.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
Like it or not, Colbert was doing what comedians are supposed to do: hold a mirror up to society, politics, human nature or whatever their focus may be, and call out the absurdities within.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
“It’s human nature to try to solve the unsolvable and be as precise as possible, but we also can’t kid ourselves that we know the answers,” he said.
From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026
It has us asking ourselves whether war is a part of human nature.
From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026
Ordinarily, nobody got excited about it—it was human nature.
From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
