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human nature
noun
: the nature of humans
especially
: the fundamental dispositions and traits of humans
Examples of human nature in a Sentence
You can't change human nature.
Recent Examples on the Web
This dark aspect of human nature is especially pertinent in Hollywood, where media attention amplifies social stress to detrimental levels.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
The Stanford prison experiment, a prison simulation that took place over two weeks in 1971, forever shifted the field of psychology and its interpretation of human nature.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2024
Many exhibit the rich sense of atmosphere, chiaroscuro lighting, and preoccupation with the dark side of human nature that would become so prevalent in the 1940s.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2024
At the heart of scientific questions about the origins of humanity lie questions of human nature.
—Daniel Vergano, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of human nature was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near human nature
Cite this Entry
“Human nature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20nature. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
human nature
noun
: the nature of human beings
especially
: the ways of thinking, acting, and reacting that are common to most or all human beings or that are learned in social situations
More from Merriam-Webster on human nature
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about human nature
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