nature
nature Lexical Profile
nature Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth, as opposed to humans or human creations.
"Spending quiet time in nature helps reduce stress and restore mental clarity."
The basic or inherent features, character, or qualities of something.
"Scientists are still investigating the exact nature of dark matter in the universe."
The innate or essential qualities and disposition of a person or animal.
"It is simply not in her nature to hold a grudge against anyone."
A specific kind, sort, or class of thing.
"The committee does not normally review complaints of a purely personal nature."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the physical world and its phenomena, 'nature' is an uncountable noun used without a definite article (e.g., 'in nature', not 'in the nature'). It is countable only when referring to the inherent traits, dispositions, or types of things.
• Rhymes for nature
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French 'nature', from Latin 'natura' ('birth, course of things, character'), derived from 'natus', the past participle of 'nasci' ('to be born').