nature
[noun]
Synonyms:
- creation, cosmos, earth, environment, universe, world
- make-up, character, complexion, constitution, essence
- kind, category, description, sort, species, style, type, variety
- temperament, disposition, humour, mood, outlook, temper

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Related Words: anatomy, framework, structure, conformation, figure, shape

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

Nature
a British weekly journal (=serious magazine) which deals with all areas of science. It is a very respected journal, and many important new discoveries are first reported in articles in Nature.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

na‧ture S1 W1 /ˈneɪtʃə $ -tʃər/ 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)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

nature
noun
I. the physical world; plants, animals, etc.
ADJ. Mother Mother Nature had served up some terrible weather for their cruise.
VERB + NATURE commune with He believed in spending half an hour each day to relax and commune with nature.
be/get back to We built our house in the country because we wanted to get back (= be close) to nature.
be found in man-made substances not found in nature
NATURE + VERB endow (sb with) sth Nature had endowed her with exceptional vitality.
produce sth It's unlikely that this gully was produced by nature.
NATURE + NOUN conservation | reserve | trail
PREP. close to ~ people who live in the country and are close to nature
in ~ We appreciate beauty in nature.
PHRASES the forces of nature, the laws of nature, a love of nature His love of nature was expressed through his wildlife paintings.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

nature
II. qualities/features of sb/sth
ADJ. basic, essential, fundamental, intrinsic, real, true | artificial | exact, precise, specific I'm not clear about the exact nature of their relationship.
general | selective | limited, restrictive | changing, seasonal, temporary, transitory | uncertain, unpredictable | arbitrary, random | subjective the subjective nature of an odour
abstract | capricious, fickle | intractable | distinctive, unusual | radical | complex | special, specialist | traditional | controversial | contradictory | problematic | unsatisfactory the unsatisfactory nature of the meeting
good People are always taking advantage of her good nature (= her kindness).
human It's only human nature to want more money.
divine | confidential, personal, private | public | international, local the international nature of the business
repetitive | routine matters of a routine nature
detailed Because of the detailed nature of the work, I have to use a very fine brush.
practical | physical, psychological, sexual They define sexual harassment as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.
economic, legal, political, social Their problems are of an economic nature.
contemplative | inquisitive
VERB + NATURE have He has an inquisitive nature.
reveal The parties would not reveal the exact nature of the dispute.
conceal | reflect | belie The gentle lower slopes belie the true nature of the mountain.
be contrary to, be/run against It was against his nature to tell lies.
alter, change This new information does not change the nature of our findings. | acknowledge, be aware of, recognize Are you aware of the nature of the risks involved?
define, specify It is important to define the nature of the problem.
assess, consider, discuss, examine, explore, investigate | comprehend, realize, understand | misconceive | clarify, elucidate, explain, give/offer/provide an insight into His theory provides a remarkable insight into the nature of the British constitution.
describe | determine | depend on The method employed will depend on the nature of the task.
appeal to There was no point appealing to her better nature (= kindness).
PREP. by ~ He's not by nature an inquisitive person.
concerning the ~ a debate concerning the nature of violence
considering/given the ~ Given the nature of this matter, I am inclined to think it should be managed by you personally.
in ~ Their strategy was essentially political in nature.
in sb/sth's ~ It's not in his nature to complain. A certain element of risk is in the nature of the job.
of a … ~ The legal concept of insanity is of a different nature from the medical.
PHRASES by its very nature By its very nature a secret service is not open to public inspection.
the extent and nature of sth We need to understand the true extent and nature of the problem.
a part of sb's nature the expressive part of his nature Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.
a side of/to sb's nature He had a vicious side to his nature.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

nature
noun
BAD: I have always found the nature fascinating.
GOOD: I have always found nature fascinating.

Usage Note:
Nature (= the natural world of birds, trees, rivers, etc) is never used with the : 'We must stop destroying nature before it is too late.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

nature
ˈneɪtʃə
See: second nature

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲