nature

nature — noun

1. Everything on Earth that exists without being made or changed by people, coverin

1.nounA2
Definition

Everything on Earth that exists without being made or changed by people, covering all living things, landscapes, weather, and natural processes.

Example

The Watanabe family spent the weekend hiking in nature, far from any city.

prepositional phrase: in nature

Learning about nature in school taught Liang how seeds grow into trees.

uncountable, no article

Common collocations
  • in nature
  • forces of nature
  • laws of nature
  • nature reserve
  • nature trail
  • back to nature
  • human nature
  • against nature
  • nature lover
Synonyms
  • the environment

    more scientific and focused on ecosystems and human impact

  • the outdoors

    informal; refers more to being outside than to the natural world as a system

  • the wild

    refers specifically to areas not settled or controlled by people

Antonyms
  • civilization

    human-built environments such as cities and towns

Grammar Patterns

in nature

nature + verb

Usage Note

Uncountable noun — do not use with 'a' or 'the' when referring to the natural world in general ('spend time in nature', not 'in the nature'). Use 'a nature reserve' or 'the natural world' when a specific area is meant.

Common Mistakes

We went to the nature for a picnic.
We went for a picnic in the countryside.
'nature' as the natural world does not take 'the' and is not a destination you visit.
The nature is beautiful in spring.
Nature is beautiful in spring.
No definite article needed when speaking about the natural world in general.

2. The powerful force that controls the physical world and living things, sometimes

2.nounB1
Definition

The powerful force that controls the physical world and living things, sometimes thought of as a force with its own will or as a mother-like figure (Mother Nature).

Example

The earthquake showed how powerful nature can be when it releases its energy.

personified: nature as agent

Farmers in Kabir's village depend on nature to bring rain for their crops each season.

Common collocations
  • forces of nature
  • Mother Nature
  • nature's power
  • nature's way
  • act of nature
  • nature takes its course
Synonyms
  • Mother Nature

    a personified name for nature; more informal and figurative

  • the elements

    refers specifically to weather forces like wind, rain, and snow

Grammar Patterns

Nature + verb (personified)

the forces of nature

Usage Note

Often capitalized as 'Nature' when strongly personified, especially in literary or poetic contexts. Common in fixed phrases such as 'the forces of nature,' 'Mother Nature,' and 'let nature take its course.'

Common Mistakes

Nature's power were scary.
Nature's power was scary.
'nature' is uncountable and takes a singular verb.

3. The basic character or set of qualities that makes a thing or situation what it

3.nounB2
Definition

The basic character or set of qualities that makes a thing or situation what it is and distinguishes it from others.

Example

The true nature of the problem became clear only after the team studied the data.

pattern: the nature of [something]

Scientists are still trying to understand the exact nature of dark matter in the universe.

Common collocations
  • true nature
  • exact nature
  • precise nature
  • fundamental nature
  • the nature of
  • in nature
  • by its very nature
Synonyms
  • essence

    more abstract and philosophical; the most fundamental quality

  • character

    slightly more general; can also refer to moral qualities

  • makeup

    informal; the combination of qualities that form something

  • constitution

    formal; the structure or composition of something

Grammar Patterns

the nature of [something]

[something] is [adjective] in nature

Usage Note

Common in formal, academic, and professional writing. Frequently modified by an adjective ('the precise nature,' 'the changing nature,' 'the legal nature'). Distinguish from sense 5: sense 3 describes the essential quality of a thing, while sense 5 specifically describes a person's inborn character.

Common Mistakes

The nature of the job are demanding.
The nature of the job is demanding.
The subject is 'the nature' (singular), not 'the job.'
It is nature of the process to be slow.
It is in the nature of the process to be slow.
The preposition 'in' is required.

4. Used in fixed expressions to say that something is a normal, expected, and unavo

4.nounB2
Definition

Used in fixed expressions to say that something is a normal, expected, and unavoidable part of a situation or of the way life works.

Example

It is in the nature of young children to ask endless questions about the world.

pattern: in the nature of [someone/something]

In the nature of things, some businesses grow while others eventually close their doors.

fixed phrase: in the nature of things

Common collocations
  • in the nature of
  • in the nature of things
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

in the nature of [something/someone]

in the nature of things

Usage Note

Restricted to a few fixed patterns: 'in the nature of things,' 'it is in the nature of [something/someone] to [do something].' Not productive — you cannot freely substitute other prepositions or structures. Often overlaps with sense 3 in formal writing (e.g., 'the nature of the system means that...').

Common Mistakes

It is nature that prices go up.
It is in the nature of things that prices go up.
The preposition 'in' and the definite article are required.
Mistakes are nature of learning.
Mistakes are in the nature of learning.
'In the nature of' is the fixed expression; 'nature of' alone belongs to sense 3.

5. The set of inborn qualities and tendencies that determine how someone typically

5.nounB1
Definition

The set of inborn qualities and tendencies that determine how someone typically thinks, feels, and acts.

Example

Tendai is by nature a quiet person who prefers reading to large parties.

pattern: by nature

It is not in Ilan's nature to tell a lie, even when the truth hurts.

pattern: in [possessive] nature

Common collocations
  • human nature
  • by nature
  • in one's nature
  • good nature
  • cheerful nature
  • competitive nature
  • second nature
Synonyms
  • disposition

    more formal; refers specifically to a person's usual mood or attitude

  • temperament

    focuses on emotional responses and is often used in psychology

  • character

    broader; includes moral qualities and values, not just inborn traits

  • personality

    the whole set of qualities that make one person different from another

Grammar Patterns

[adjective] nature

by nature

in [possessive] nature

Usage Note

Often used with possessive adjectives ('his nature,' 'her nature') or in the fixed phrase 'by nature.' The adjective 'second nature' describes something that has become automatic through practice. Distinguish from sense 3: sense 3 applies to things and situations; sense 5 applies only to living beings, especially people.

Common Mistakes

She has a shy nature.' (acceptable but less natural)
She is shy by nature.
'By nature' is the more idiomatic and common structure.
It is his nature to be kind.' (natural enough, but...) — This is actually fine. The more common mistake is: ❌ 'He has a nature of being kind.
It is in his nature to be kind.
'In one's nature' uses the infinitive, not 'of + gerund.'
Idioms

the call of nature

idiom

A humorous way to refer to the need to use the toilet.

During the long bus ride, Omar had to answer the call of nature and asked the driver to stop.

a force of nature

idiom

A person who has an extremely strong personality, full of energy and determination, and difficult to stop or resist.

As a leader, Élise was a force of nature who inspired everyone in her team to work harder.

let nature take its course

idiom

To allow events to develop naturally without trying to control or change them.

The doctor decided not to give medicine for the mild cold and let nature take its course instead.

second nature

idiom

A behaviour or skill that has been practised so much that it feels completely natural and requires no effort.

After driving the same route for years, finding the way home became second nature to Antonia.

back to nature

idiom

Returning to a simple way of living in the countryside, away from modern city life.

After twenty years in the city, Mr. and Mrs. Nikos moved to a small farm and went back to nature.

against nature

idiom

Something that is not normal or acceptable according to moral standards.

Many people believe that cloning humans is against nature.

Is it against nature for animals to live in zoos?

(get, go, etc.) back to nature

idiom

To return to a simple way of living, often in the countryside.

After years in the city, Maya decided to go back to nature.

They sold their apartment and moved to a farm to get back to nature.

the forces of nature

idiom

The powerful natural events like storms or earthquakes that can cause destruction.

The hurricane showed the terrible forces of nature.

Can humans ever control the forces of nature?

in the nature of something

idiom

Similar to something or having the qualities of a particular type.

Her comment was in the nature of a friendly warning.

The gift was in the nature of a thank-you note.

in the nature of things

idiom

In the usual way that events happen.

In the nature of things, older trees eventually fall.

Is it in the nature of things that children grow up and leave home?

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/3

'Essence' is the most abstract and philosophical of these — it refers to the core quality without which something would not be what it is (e.g., 'the essence of democracy is free debate'). 'Character' is broader: it can describe the distinguishing features of a thing (e.g., 'the character of a neighbourhood') or a person's moral qualities. 'Makeup' is more informal and suggests the combined ingredients that form something (e.g., 'the genetic makeup of a species'). 'Constitution' is formal and often used for the physical or structural composition of something (e.g., 'the chemical constitution of the compound'). For everyday use, 'character' is the closest substitute for 'nature' in sense 3; 'essence' goes deeper and is more emphatic.

essence ↗charactermakeup ↗constitution ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'nature' comes from Latin 'natura', meaning 'birth, innate quality, the course of things.' 'Natura' itself comes from 'natus', the past participle of 'nasci' (to be born). This root meaning — what something is at birth — still echoes in sense 5 (personal character) and sense 3 (essential quality). The word entered English through Old French 'nature' after the Norman Conquest. Over time, its meaning expanded from 'inherent qualities' to encompass the entire physical world, a shift already present by the 14th century.