nature
NAY-chuh
Nature (noun) means the physical world and everything in it — plants, animals, landscapes, and natural forces — as distinct from human-made things. Example: “She loves hiking because it gets her out into nature.”
noun
1
The physical world and everything in it — plants, animals, landscapes, and natural forces — as distinct from human-made things.
"She loves hiking because it gets her out into nature."
"The documentary explores the beauty of nature in the Amazon rainforest."
2
A person or thing's essential character — the qualities that make them who or what they fundamentally are.
"It's just not in his nature to be cruel."
"Curiosity is part of human nature."
3
The general type or category something belongs to.
"Please describe the nature of your complaint."
"Questions of a personal nature were avoided during the interview."
How to use nature
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the natural world (trees, animals, weather) or the essential character of a person or thing.
Memory tip
If you can replace it with "the outdoors" it means the natural world; if you can replace it with "character" or "personality" it means someone's inherent traits.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
human nature
the nature of the problem
mother nature
second nature
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Word forms
- Plural
- natures
- Third person singular
- natures
- Past tense
- natured
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She loves hiking because it gets her out into _____.
Etymology
From Old French nature, from Latin natura ("birth, constitution, character"), from natus, "born" — the same root that gives us "native" and "nation."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for nature
See all rhymes for nature →Frequently asked questions
What does “nature” mean?
The word “nature” means the physical world and everything in it — plants, animals, landscapes, and natural forces — as distinct from human-made things. In plain terms, either the natural world (trees, animals, weather) or the essential character of a person or thing.
How do you pronounce “nature”?
“Nature” is pronounced NAY-chuh (/ˈneɪ̯.t͡ʃəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “nature” in a sentence?
Here is “nature” used in a sentence: “She loves hiking because it gets her out into nature.”
What part of speech is “nature”?
“Nature” is a noun.
Where does the word “nature” come from?
The word “nature” comes from Latin. From Old French nature, from Latin natura ("birth, constitution, character"), from natus, "born" — the same root that gives us "native" and "nation.".
Is “nature” a common word?
“Nature” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “nature” have?
“Nature” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the physical world and everything in it — plants, animals, landscapes, and natural forces — as distinct from human-made things.
What is the difference between nature and the environment?
Nature is the physical world of living things and natural forces existing on its own — forests, oceans, wildlife, weather. The environment is the surroundings in which life exists, and often stresses how those surroundings are affected by human activity. Nature is what exists; the environment is the setting we live in and impact.
What is an example of nature?
A forest full of trees, birds, and insects is nature; so are mountains, rivers, oceans, and the weather. A wild meadow, a coral reef, or a thunderstorm all count. Anything belonging to the physical world and not made by people — living or not — is part of nature.
Why is nature important?
Nature sustains life. It provides the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat, while forests and oceans regulate climate and shelter countless species. Beyond survival, time spent in nature is widely linked to better mental and physical health, which is why protecting it matters so much.
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