nature
all the animals, plants, rocks, etc. in the world and all the features, forces, and processes that happen or exist independently of people, such as the weather, the sea, mountains, the production of young animals or plants, and growth
This new technique of artificially growing cells copies what actually happens in nature.
Oxford Essential Dictionary
nature
noun
1 (no plural) all the plants, animals, etc. in the world and all the things that happen in it that are not made or caused by people:
the beauty of nature
2 (plural natures) the way a person or thing is:
Our cat has a very friendly nature.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
nature
na‧ture S1 W1 /ˈneɪtʃə $ -tʃər/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑nature, ↑naturalist, ↑naturalism, ↑naturalization, ↑naturalness, the supernatural, ↑natural, ↑naturist, ↑naturism; adverb: ↑naturally ≠ ↑unnaturally, ↑naturalistically, ↑supernaturally; adjective: ↑natural ≠ ↑unnatural, ↑supernatural, ↑naturalistic; verb: ↑naturalize]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: French; Origin: Latin natura, from natus; ⇨ ↑nation]
1. PLANTS/ANIMALS ETC [uncountable] (also Nature) everything in the physical world that is not controlled by humans, such as wild plants and animals, earth and rocks, and the weather:
We grew up in the countryside, surrounded by the beauties of nature.
nature conservation
the laws/forces of nature
The inhabitants of the island fight a constant battle against the forces of nature.
in nature
All these materials are found in nature.
Disease is nature’s way of keeping the population down.
2. SB’S CHARACTER [uncountable and countable] someone’s character:
a child with a happy, easy-going nature
sb’s nature
It’s just not in Jane’s nature to lie.
by nature
She was by nature a very affectionate person.
I tried appealing to his better nature (=his feelings of kindness) but he wouldn’t agree to help us.
Of course she’s jealous – it’s only human nature (=the feelings and ways of behaving that all people have).
3. QUALITIES OF SOMETHING [singular, uncountable] the qualities or features that something has
nature of
They asked a lot of questions about the nature of our democracy.
He examined the nature of the relationship between the two communities.
exact/precise/true nature
The exact nature of the problem is not well understood.
different/political/temporary etc in nature
Any government funding would be temporary in nature.
Capitalist society is by its very nature unstable.
4. TYPE [singular] a particular kind of thing
of a personal/political/difficult etc nature
The support being given is of a practical nature.
of this/that nature
I never trouble myself with questions of that nature.
5. in the nature of things according to the natural way things happen:
In the nature of things, there is bound to be the occasional accident.
6. be in the nature of something formal to be similar to a type of thing:
The enquiry will be more in the nature of a public meeting than a formal hearing.
7. against nature not natural, and morally wrong:
They believe that suicide is against nature.
8. let nature take its course to allow events to happen without doing anything to change the results:
The best cure for a cold is to let nature take its course.
9. back to nature a style of living in which people try to live simply and not use modern machines:
city workers who want to get back to nature in their holidays
⇨ be/become second nature (to somebody) at ↑second1(10), ⇨ the call of nature at ↑call2(12)
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
nature
na·ture [nature natures] [ˈneɪtʃə(r)] [ˈneɪtʃər] noun
PLANTS, ANIMALS
1. (often Nature) uncountable all the plants, animals and things that exist in the universe that are not made by people
• the beauties of nature
• man-made substances not found in nature
• nature conservation You cannot use ‘the nature’ in this meaning: the beauties of the nature. It is often better to use another appropriate word, for example the countryside, the scenery or wildlife
• We stopped to admire the scenery.
• We stopped to admire the nature.
2. (often Nature) uncountable the way that things happen in the physical world when it is not controlled by people
• the forces/laws of nature
• Just let nature take its course.
• Her illness was Nature's way of telling her to do less.
see also Mother Nature
CHARACTER
3. countable, uncountable the usual way that a person or an animal behaves that is part of their character
• It's not in his nature to be unkind.
• She is very sensitive by nature.
• We appealed to his better nature (= his kindness).
see also good nature, human nature, second nature
BASIC QUALITIES
4. singular the basic qualities of a thing
• the changing nature of society
• It's difficult to define the exact nature of the problem.
• My work is very specialized in nature.
• The future by its very nature is uncertain.
TYPE/KIND
5. singular a type or kind of sth
• books of a scientific nature
• Don't worry about things of that nature.
-NATURED
6. (in adjectives) having the type of character or quality mentioned
• a good-natured man
more at the call of nature at call n., the forces of nature at force n.
Idioms: against nature ▪ back to nature ▪ in the nature of something ▪ in the nature of things
Word Origin:
Middle English (denoting the physical power of a person): from Old French, from Latin natura ‘birth, nature, quality’, from nat- ‘born’, from the verb nasci.
Thesaurus:
nature noun
1. U
• Take time to appreciate the beauties of nature.
the natural world • • the environment • • the wild • • life • • wildlife • • ecosystem • • habitat •
in nature/the environment/the wild/an ecosystem/a habitat
(a/an/the) marine/terrestrial/aquatic environment/life/wildlife/ecosystem/habitat
protect the natural world/the environment/… life/wildlife/habitats
2. C, U
• It's not in her nature to be unkind.
character • • personality • • temperament • • self • • make-up • |formal disposition • • persona •
by nature/temperament
in sb's nature/character
a violent nature/character/personality/temperament
a generous nature/character/disposition
Which word? Nature is used about sb's normal way of behaving; character is used especially about sb's moral behaviour; personality is used especially about whether sb is confident, shy, etc. with other people.; temperament is mostly used about whether sb normally stays calm, or gets angry, etc.
3. sing.
• It's difficult to define the exact nature of the problem.
character • • essence • • stuff • • spirit •
in nature/character/essence/spirit
the very nature/character/essence/stuff/spirit of sth
preserve/capture/convey/reflect the nature/character/essence of sth
Nature or character? Use nature to talk about the basic qualities of abstract things, such as society or risks; use character to talk about the qualities of buildings, places and other physical things, especially qualities that make a place or thing seem different or special.
Word Family:
nature noun
natural adjective (≠ unnatural)
naturally adverb (≠ unnaturally)
Example Bank:
• Are you aware of the nature of the risks involved?
• Because of the detailed nature of the work, I have to use a very fine brush.
• By its very nature a secret service is not open to public inspection.
• Given the nature of this matter, I am inclined to think it should be managed by you personally.
• He believed in spending half an hour each day to relax and commune with nature.
• He had a vicious side to his nature.
• He has an inquisitive nature.
• He's not by nature an inquisitive person.
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.
• His love of nature was expressed through his wildlife paintings.
• His theory provides a remarkable insight into the nature of the British constitution.
• I'm not clear about the exact nature of their relationship.
• It is important to define the nature of the problem.
• It was against his nature to tell lies.
• It's highly unlikely that this mound was produced by nature.
• It's not in his nature to complain.
• It's only human nature to want more money.
• Mother Nature had served up some terrible weather for their cruise.
• Mother Nature's way of dealing with overpopulation
• Nature had endowed her with exceptional vitality.
• People are always taking advantage of her good nature.
• The Buddhist goal is to realize the true nature of the world.
• The gentle lower slopes belie the true nature of the mountain.
• The legal concept of insanity is of a different nature from the medical.
• The method employed will depend on the nature of the task.
• The parties would not reveal the exact nature of the dispute.
• The victim has not been identified because of the sensitive nature of the case.
• Their problems are of an economic nature.
• Their strategy was essentially political in nature.
• There was no point appealing to her better nature.
• They define sexual harassment as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.
• This new information does not change the nature of our findings.
• We appreciate beauty in nature.
• We built our house in the country because we wanted to get back to nature.
• We built our house in the country because we wanted to get back= be close to nature.
• We can only treat the injury and then let nature take its course.
• We need to understand the true extent and nature of the problem.
• a debate concerning the nature of violence
• matters of a routine nature
• people who live in the country and are close to nature
• the dual nature of man as a physical and spiritual being
• the expressive part of his nature
• the international nature of the business
• the subjective nature of an odour
• the unsatisfactory nature of the meeting
• A lot of nature conservation is about protecting habitats.
• Decisions of this nature often take a long time.
• Don't worry about things of that nature.
• Her illness was Nature's way of telling her to do less.
• His books were mainly of a scientific nature.
• It seemed against the laws of nature that such a creature could even exist.
• It's not in her nature to be unkind.
• My work is very specialized in nature.
• She is very sensitive by nature.
• Take time to appreciate the beauties of nature.
• The forces of nature are constantly reshaping our world.
• The talk addressed the subject of the changing nature of our society.
• We appealed to his better nature.
• What's the nature of his work?
• White phosphorus is so reactive that it is not found in nature.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
nature / ˈneɪ.tʃə r / / -tʃɚ / noun (LIFE)
A2 [ U ] all the animals, plants, rocks, etc. in the world and all the features, forces, and processes that happen or exist independently of people, such as the weather, the sea, mountains, the production of young animals or plants, and growth:
her love of nature
This new technique of artificially growing cells copies what actually happens in nature.
a nature article/book/programme
Nature the force that is responsible for physical life and that is sometimes spoken of as a person:
Feeling tired-out is Nature's way of telling you to rest.
Nature gave these tiny creatures the ability to reproduce quickly when food is abundant.
Word partners for nature (LIFE)
the forces of / laws of nature • a nature lover • be found in nature • in nature • nature conservation
Word partners for nature (TYPE)
the nature of sth • [different/temporary, etc.] in nature • of a [confidential/similar, etc.] nature • the exact / precise / true nature of sth • the changing / complex / political / serious nature of sth • alter / change / reflect the nature of sth
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
nature
[ne͟ɪtʃə(r)]
natures
1) N-UNCOUNT Nature is all the animals, plants, and other things in the world that are not made by people, and all the events and processes that are not caused by people.
→ See also Mother Nature
The most amazing thing about nature is its infinite variety.
...grasses that grow wild in nature.
...the ecological balance of nature.
2) N-SING: with supp, oft n N, also by/in N The nature of something is its basic quality or character.
Mr Sharp would not comment on the nature of the issues being investigated.
...the ambitious nature of the programme...
The protests had been non-political by nature...
The rise of a major power is both economic and military in nature.
3) N-SING: with poss, also by N Someone's nature is their character, which they show by the way they behave.
→ See also human nature
Jeya feels that her ambitious nature made her unsuitable for an arranged marriage...
She trusted people. That was her nature...
He was by nature affectionate.
4) PHRASE: v-link PHR If you say that something is against nature, you think that it is unnatural.
All these activities are against nature.
Syn:
unnatural
5) PHRASE: PHR after v If you want to get back to nature, you want to return to a simpler way of living.
She was very anxious to get away from cities and back to nature.
6) PHRASE: N inflects, PHR with cl If you say that something has a particular characteristic by its nature or by its very nature, you mean that things of that type always have that characteristic.
Peacekeeping, by its nature, makes pre-planning difficult...
One could argue that smoking, by its very nature, is addictive.
7) PHRASE: PHR after v (politeness) Some people talk about a call of nature when referring politely to the need to go to the toilet.
I'm afraid I have to answer a call of nature.
8) PHRASE: PHR with cl If you say that something is in the nature of things, you mean that you would expect it to happen in the circumstances mentioned.
Of course, in the nature of things, and with a lot of drinking going on, people failed to notice...
Many have already died, and in the nature of things many more will die.
9) PHRASE: PHR n, usu v-link PHR, pron-indef PHR If you say that one thing is in the nature of another, you mean that it is like the other thing.
There is movement towards, I think, something in the nature of a pluralistic system...
It was in the nature of a debate rather than an argument.
10) PHRASE: v-link PHR, oft PHR to n If a way of behaving is second nature to you, you do it almost without thinking because it is easy for you or obvious to you.
Planning ahead had always come as second nature to her...
It's not easy at first, but it soon becomes second nature.
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
nature
na·ture /ˈneɪʧɚ/ noun, pl -tures
1 also Nature [noncount]
a : the physical world and everything in it (such as plants, animals, mountains, oceans, stars, etc.) that is not made by people
• the beauty of nature
• She is a real nature lover. = She really loves nature. [=she loves to spend time outdoors]
• He devoted himself to the study of nature.
• That is a color not found in nature.
• nature photography
• nature conservation
b : the natural forces that control what happens in the world
• the forces of nature
• Hunger is nature's way of telling you to eat.
• Gravity is one of the basic laws of nature.
- see also call of nature, freak of nature, mother nature
2 : the way that a person or animal behaves : the character or personality of a person or animal
[count]
• She has a competitive nature. [=she is competitive]
• The differences in their natures was easy to see.
• an animal with a gentle nature [=a gentle animal]
[noncount]
• The children took advantage of the teacher's good nature. [=the teacher's kindness]
• She's very competitive by nature.
- see also good-natured, human nature, ill-natured, second nature
3 : a basic quality that something has
[count]
- usually singular; often + of
• the nature of steel
• What is the true nature of democracy?
• Because of the fragile nature of the manuscripts [=because the manuscripts are fragile], the museum keeps them behind glass.
[noncount]
• Her writing is humorous in nature. [=her writing has humorous qualities]
4 [singular] : a particular kind of thing
• What is the nature of your problem? [=what kind of problem do you have?]
• papers of a confidential nature [=papers that are confidential]
• His medical condition is not of a serious nature. [=is not serious]
• You'll need to bring a toothbrush, soap, and things of that nature. [=other similar things]
get/go back to nature also return to nature : to spend time living in a simple way without modern machines, electricity, etc.
• They went on a camping trip to get back to nature.
let nature take its course : to allow something to happen without trying to control it
• The injury should heal within a few weeks if you just let nature take its course.
