SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

in nature

Definition of in nature

: having such a quality or qualities Her writing is humorous in nature.

Word by Word Definitions

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: the inherent character or basic constitution (see constitution 2) of a person or thing : essence
: disposition, temperament
: a creative and controlling force in the universe

See the full definition of nature

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up in nature? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

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WORD OF THE DAY

hebetude

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lethargy or dullness

Words at Play

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We're Down With You Being—or Your Being?—a Square

It's about (you? your?) having your say.

Devilish Words

Don't blame a word use error on the devil.

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How 'Wonderful' Lost Its Sense of Wonder

A case of semantic bleaching

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Don't Let Reading This Be Another 'Coulda' 'Shoulda' 'Woulda'

PSA: They're three separate words.

Ask the Editors

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Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

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Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

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Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?

Which word entered the English language first?

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Name More Food!

Test your knowledge of food vocabulary!

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True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

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Citation

Do you know the person or title these quotes describe?

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