naturalist

1 of 2

noun

nat·​u·​ral·​ist ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-list 

1

: a student of natural history

especially : a field biologist

2

: one that advocates or practices naturalism

naturalist

2 of 2

adjective

nat·​u·​ral·​ist ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-list 

less common variant of naturalistic

: of, characterized by, or according with naturalism

Examples of naturalist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Discover the different habitats that live in Del Valley in this less-than-one-mile hike with a naturalist. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026

Before scientists formulated their research, poets and naturalists had fathomed features of this intelligence. — Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026

Together, three generations of naturalists wait in blinds for the appearance of lynx, deer, owls, and the near-mythical capercaillie. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026

Botanists from across California and Arizona, plus Huntington specialists and a naturalist based in Chile, will present sessions on a variety of succulents, including Dudleya, boojum (Fouquieria columnaris) and Arabian aloe (Aloe rubroviolacea). — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

naturalist

noun

nat·​u·​ral·​ist ˈnach-(ə-)rə-ləst 

: a person who specializes in natural history

naturalist adjective