/ ˈneɪtʃə(r); NAmE / noun
PLANTS, ANIMALS
1.
(often Nature ) [ U ] 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
HELP NOTE : 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 ) [ U ] 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.
[ C , U ] 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.
[ sing. ] 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 .
TYPE / KIND
5.
[ sing. ] 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
•
IDIOMS
- against nature
- (get, go, etc.) back to nature
- in the nature of sth
- in the nature of things
—more at call noun , force noun
••
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 .