nature

noun

na·​ture ˈnā-chər 

1

: the external world in its entirety

2

: natural scenery

enjoyed the beauties of nature

3

a

: disposition, temperament

it was his nature to look after others

—F. A. Swinnerton

her romantic nature

b

: the inherent character or basic constitution (see constitution sense 2) of a person or thing : essence

the nature of the controversy

4

a

: humankind's original or natural condition

b

: a simplified mode of life resembling this condition

escape from civilization and get back to nature

5

: a kind or class usually distinguished by fundamental or essential characteristics

documents of a confidential nature

acts of a ceremonial nature

6

: the physical constitution or drives of an organism

especially : an excretory organ or function

—used in phrases like the call of nature

7

: the genetically controlled qualities of an organism

nature … modified by nurture

—E. G. Conklin

8

a

: a creative and controlling force in the universe

b

: an inner force (such as instinct, appetite, desire) or the sum of such forces in an individual

9

: a spontaneous attitude (as of generosity)

Synonyms

• character
• clay
• colors
• complexion
• constitution
• genius
• personality
• self
• tone

Choose the Right Synonym for nature

type, kind, sort, nature, description, character mean a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities.

type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

Examples of nature in a Sentence

He devoted himself to the study of nature.

That is a color not found in nature.

Hunger is nature's way of telling you to eat.

Gravity is one of the basic laws of nature.

She's very competitive by nature.

Recent Examples on the Web

The contrast is powerful, drawing attention to the chimerical nature of her quest. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024

The nature of California’s new system of largely vote-by-mail ballots, and a 30-day canvass period in which election officials can resolve problem ballots, certify results, and conduct an audit, prolongs the release of official final results. —Harriet Blair Rowan, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

This reclusive nature, coupled with their remote habitat, makes researching them difficult, leaving significant gaps in our understanding of their behavior, life cycle and ecological role. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Rapid experimentation should be at the core of C-suite operations, fostering a culture of iterative learning that can keep pace with the nonlinear nature of the BANI world. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin natura, from natus, past participle of nasci to be born — more at nation

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Phrases Containing nature

• accident of nature
• call of nature
• crime against nature
• force of nature
• freak of nature
• get/go back to nature
• human nature
• in nature
• let nature take its course
• nature preserve
• nature reserve
• nature trail
• of that nature
• return to nature
• second nature
• the call of nature

Kids Definition

nature

noun

na·​ture ˈnā-chər 

1

: the basic quality, character, or way in which a thing or person exists or has been formed

the nature of steel

2

: kind entry 1 sense 1a, sort

and things of that nature

3

: disposition sense 3a, temperament

a baby with a happy nature

4

: a power or set of forces thought of as controlling the universe

5

: natural feeling especially as shown in one's attitude toward others

your generous nature is well-known

6

: humanity's original or natural condition : primitive life

return to nature

7

: the physical universe

the study of nature

8

: the workings of a living body

leave a cure to nature

especially : an excretory function

—used in phrases like the call of nature

9

: natural scenery

the beauties of nature

Etymology

Middle English nature "normal or essential quality of something, nature," from early French nature (same meaning), from Latin natura (same meaning), from natus, past participle of nasci "to be born" — related to innate, native