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nature
/ˈnæɪ̯tʃə/
When referring to the physical world (plants, animals, etc.), "nature" is an uncountable noun. You should not say "a nature" or "natures" in this context. When describing a person's character or the qualities of a thing, you can use it as a countable noun. For example, you can say someone has "a gentle nature." Be careful with the phrase "by nature." This is commonly used to describe a quality someone has been born with (e.g., "He is shy by nature").
💬Casual Conversation
DEAR I SAW YOUR POST. YOU NEED TO GET OUT INTO NATURE MORE.
i'm literally drowning in finals grandma i can't even deal rn
Meanings
The physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features of the earth, as opposed to humans or man-made things.
"It is important to protect nature for future generations."
Examples
I just need to get back to nature for a while.
It's just his nature to be a bit grumpy, honestly.
Look at this place! Mother nature is absolutely breathtaking here.
Listen, the secretive nature of this deal is non-negotiable!
Stop it! It's not in your nature to be mean.
I love how the nature trails are so peaceful here.
The violent nature of the storm ruined everything, didn't it?
She has such a sweet nature, doesn't she?
Collocations & Compounds
mother nature
The personification of the physical world and its biological forces.
human nature
The general psychological characteristics, feelings, and behavioral traits shared by all humans.
by nature
Possessing a particular quality as an inherent or innate characteristic.
the nature of the beast
The inherent and often unpleasant characteristics of a specific situation or thing.
nature reserve
A protected area of land managed to preserve its flora, fauna, and physical landscape.
Idioms & Sayings
mother nature
The personification of the natural world, often seen as a creative and controlling force.
by its very nature
Due to the inherent characteristics or fundamental qualities of something.
human nature
The general psychological characteristics, feelings, and behavioral traits shared by all humans.
a second nature
A characteristic or habit that has become instinctive through frequent repetition.
Cultural Context
For centuries, philosophers and scientists have been locked in one of the most profound debates in intellectual history: the 'Nature vs. Nurture' dichotomy. At its core, this is a quest to understand what truly defines us. Is our character an inevitable blueprint written in our DNA—our biological nature—or is it a blank slate sculpted by the environment and experiences we encounter as we grow?
Historically, the 'nature' camp argued that human traits are innate. Think of the classical Greek notion of 'physis,' the inherent essence of a thing. From this perspective, a person born with a fiery temperament or a mathematical genius is simply fulfilling their biological destiny. The belief was that our personalities are hard-wired into our neural circuitry long before we ever take our first breath.
On the other side stands nurture, championing the power of the environment. This view suggests that we are the products of our upbringing, our culture, and our social circles. If you change a child's surroundings, you change their destiny. The tension between these two forces creates a fascinating psychological landscape. For example, consider the 'Jim Twins'—identical twins separated at birth who grew up in different environments yet discovered they had nearly identical hobbies, habits, and even tastes in clothing. Such cases provide an eerie glimpse into how powerful our genetic nature can be.
However, modern epigenetics has largely dissolved this binary. We now know that it isn't a competition, but a dance. Our environment can actually 'flip switches' on our genes, meaning that nurture can literally change the expression of our nature. The biological hardware provides the range of possibilities, but the life experience determines which settings are activated.
Ultimately, this debate reflects our deepest human desire to understand why we are the way we are. Whether we are driven by an ancient biological nature or shaped by the love and hardship of our surroundings, the intersection of both is where the unique magic of individual identity resides.
Etymology
Derived from the Old French 'nature', originating from the Latin 'natura' ('birth, constitution, character'), which is derived from the verb 'nasci' ('to be born'). The term evolved from referring to the act of birth or innate disposition to encompassing the entire physical universe and the inherent characteristics of beings.