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

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 But all those genuinely wonderful ways to increase one’s knowledge are pretty much second nature to today’s teenagers. — Jennifer Winward, Anchorage Daily News, "Five old-school skills that kids should learn from their grandparents instead of YouTube," 26 June 2018 Learning a new language kept me in a constantly self-monitoring mode; communication was no longer second nature and had to be measured out. — Hedia Anvar, Longreads, "How To Build An Intellectual," 23 June 2018 After a while carrying around my binoculars became second nature to me. — Mackenzie Schmidt, PEOPLE.com, "Pregnant Joanna Gaines Reveals Chip Gives her 'Fresh Hope' in a Heartfelt Father's Day Message," 18 June 2018 Dangling more than 110 stories above the Loop is second nature for Rukavina. — Patrick M. O'connell, chicagotribune.com, "At 80, ironworker who has dangled atop Chicago's tallest skyscrapers is still climbing," 9 June 2018 But Katniss has been close to dead before – and survival, for her, is second nature. — Alysha Tsuji, For The Win, "7 books LeBron has read in playoffs since 2012," 23 May 2018 There's something else that needs to come second nature for the redshirt junior defensive back--technique. — Tom Green, AL.com, "Jeremiah Dinson ready to be 'point guy' at safety for Auburn," 3 Mar. 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

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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

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