NATURE Definition & Meaning

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nature

[ ney-cher ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the material world, especially as surrounding humankind and existing independently of human activities.
the natural world as it exists without human beings or civilization:
In nature, wild dogs hunt in packs.
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.
natural scenery:
Tourists at the resort are surrounded by nature.
the universe, with all its phenomena:
Conservation of energy is a universal law of nature.
the sum total of the forces at work throughout the universe.
reality, as distinguished from any effect of art:
a portrait true to nature.
the particular combination of qualities belonging to a person, animal, thing, or class by birth, origin, or constitution; native or inherent character:
human nature.
the instincts or inherent tendencies directing conduct:
a man of good nature.
character, kind, or sort:
two books of the same nature.
characteristic disposition; temperament: an evil nature.
a self-willed nature;
an evil nature.
the original, natural, uncivilized condition of humankind.
the biological functions or the urges to satisfy their requirements.
a primitive, wild condition; an uncultivated state.
a simple, uncluttered mode of life without the conveniences or distractions of civilization:
a return to nature.
(initial capital letter, italics) a prose work (1836), by Ralph Waldo Emerson, expounding transcendentalism.
Theology. the moral state as unaffected by grace.

nature

/ ˈ�Ա�ɪ��ʃə /

noun

the fundamental qualities of a person or thing; identity or essential character
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
all natural phenomena and plant and animal life, as distinct from man and his creations
a wild primitive state untouched by man or civilization
natural unspoilt scenery or countryside
disposition or temperament
tendencies, desires, or instincts governing behaviour
the normal biological needs or urges of the body
sort; kind; character
the real appearance of a person or thing
a painting very true to nature
accepted standards of basic morality or behaviour
biology the complement of genetic material that partly determines the structure of an organism; genotype Compare nurture
sympathy and fondness for one's own people or native place
she is full of nature
against nature
unnatural or immoral
by nature
essentially or innately
call of nature informal.
the need to urinate or defecate
from nature
using natural models in drawing, painting, etc
in the nature of or of the nature of
essentially the same as; by way of

nature

/ ��′��ə�� /

The world and its naturally occurring phenomena, together with all of the physical laws that govern them.
Living organisms and their environments.

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

�Բ�t�ܰ��·�� adjective
��t��·�Բ�t�ܰ�� adjective noun

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of nature¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English natur(e), from Old French, from Latin ��tūra “conditions of birth, quality, character, natural order, world,” equivalent to ��t(us) (past participle of ��scī “to be born”) + -ū�� noun suffix; -ure

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of nature¹

C13: via Old French from Latin ��tūra, from ��tus, past participle of �Բ��ī to be born

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Idioms and Phrases

by nature, as a result of inborn or inherent qualities; innately:
She is by nature a kindhearted person.
in a state of nature,
1. in an uncivilized or uncultured condition.
2. without clothes; nude; naked.
of / in the nature of, having the character or qualities of:
in the nature of an apology.

More idioms and phrases containing nature

see call of nature ; good nature ; second nature .

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The government argued it would damage national security if the nature of the legal action - and the parties to it - were made public, what are known as the "bare details of the case".

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"These changes are designed to help users better understand the unaffiliated nature of PCF accounts and reduce the risk of confusion or impersonation," the company said in a post on Saturday.

From

The fast-paced nature of a short daytime set has its challenges, but drummer Dillon Lee shared they were able to overcome their fears through “exposure therapy.”

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Folding towels, putting away laundry — the nature of the task didn’t matter so long as it allowed the teenager to be near his father, Sal, the defensive line coach for the Carolina Panthers.

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"I'm quite a caregiver by nature, and that attracts boys who need a lot of help, or are very insecure," the singer reflects.

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Related 51�Թ�s

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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