second nature

noun

Definition of second nature

: an acquired deeply ingrained habit or skill after a while, using the gearshift becomes second nature

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Examples of second nature in a Sentence

After a while, using the gearshift becomes second nature. speaking and thinking in Japanese simply became second nature to her during the years she spent in Kyoto

Recent Examples on the Web

This can be exceptionally hard some days and come as complete second nature on others. — Misty Bell Stiers, Quartz at Work, "Pride month is over. The need for safe spaces at work is not," 13 July 2019 The first rule of reality TV has become second nature to her: everything is always a performance. — The Economist, "Power-walking with Kathy Griffin," 12 July 2019 Though skiing soon became second nature, the dearth of affordable yet stylish ski gear kept her from feeling completely comfortable on the slopes. — Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, "Introducing Matek, a New Line of Cutting-Edge Ski Intimates," 4 Dec. 2018 For a lot of us, loyalty to country is second nature, a quiet assumption that goes without saying — even when our country fails to show its loyalty in return. — Tyrone Beason / Columnist, The Seattle Times, "Kazuo Yamane’s WWII story shows the lengths to which some must go to prove their loyalty to America," 11 Nov. 2018 This tendency seems fitting for a twosome whose bond was built on an unexpected connection, and for whom embracing the new and never-seen-before is second nature. — Shoko Wanger, House Beautiful, "This Woman-Run Studio Designs Gorgeous Restaurants You’ll Want to Call Home," 13 Feb. 2019 Braille and accessible phone and computer tech become second nature. — Peg Rosen, Good Housekeeping, "Blindness Can't Stop Me from Living the Life I Want to Live," 14 Sep. 2018 At EF Education First, for instance, that man is Belgium’s Sep Vanmarcke, for whom the pavé is second nature. — Joshua Robinson, WSJ, "The Biggest Booby-Trap at the Tour de France: Cobblestone Roads," 13 July 2018 Play calls that once seemed like foreign scripture became second nature. — Shawn Mcfarland, courant.com, "Governor's Cup Gives Players One Last Chance To Shine On The High School Football Field," 29 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'second nature.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near second nature

second mortgage

second mourning

Statistics for second nature

Last Updated

19 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for second nature

The first known use of second nature was in 1582

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More Definitions for second nature

second nature

noun

English Language Learners Definition of second nature

: something you can do easily or without much thought because you have done it many times before

See the full definition for second nature in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Comments on second nature

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