1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

second nature

noun

Definition of second naturenext
as in ritual
a usual manner of behaving or doing speaking and thinking in Japanese simply became second nature to her during the years she spent in Kyoto

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of second nature Even though the playbook and the verbiage is second nature to him, building that connection with Iamaleava is crucial to him earning the starting spot. — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 17 Aug. 2026 Supporting the easiest payment method on a phone ought to be second nature to mobile-app developers, but too many continue to make this mistake. — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026 In fact, virtual trading is where disciplined risk management becomes second nature. — Michael Martin, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 During a March 2025 appearance on Let’s Talk Media, Chase said slipping into Angelica’s voice has become second nature after decades of playing the character. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for second nature
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second nature
  1. ritual
  2. habit
  3. way
  4. trick
  5. practice
  6. custom
Noun
  • Last April, Phuwin appeared in a Loewe campaign based on Songkran, the Thai New Year’s celebration that has been likened to a nationwide water fight, though its rituals are meant to symbolize cleansing, reverence and good fortune.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Coffee, movement and recovery supply some of the rituals people associate with going out, like having a drink in hand, doing something together and meeting new people, without making alcohol the center of the event.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of ritual
Noun
  • Rios had been to rehab several times, but couldn’t seem to kick the habit long term until recently, Ward said.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Most of that problem stems from poor savings habits by governors and legislators who served prior to 2011.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of habit
Noun
  • Some oil tankers have made their way through the strait, but LNG tankers are a more troublesome target, according to Robin Mills, a non-resident fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy and CEO of Qamar Energy.
    — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • But, in Hagwon, Lee does not seem interested in the ways in which her diplomatic, kind, generous characters might be corrupted.
    — Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of way
Noun
  • My father was the man of tricks, who sat for an hour mining a watermelon with a circular spoon, who carved the rind into a castle.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Teoxane that pulls a bit of a magic trick; metallic and foil eye shadow sticks with a magnetic design from Danessa Myricks Beauty; and a new way to perform one of plastic surgery’s most popular procedures, breast augmentation, from Motiva.
    — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • Jukes is a year younger than McQuillen, but during club season at 1st Alliance, the two compete against each other during practice.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Ars Video The three researchers from Hacktron AI, a small security company, were paid $6,500 by OpenAI as part of a bug bounty program, a common practice where tech companies pay ethical hackers to test their security.
    — Cristina Criddle, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of practice
Noun
  • Diners will notice Postino’s custom millwork, camera wall and artsy design elements that call attention to Plaza Midwood’s past.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Ella Beatty Ella Beatty turned to Harbison Studio for her custom red carpet look.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of custom

Browse Nearby Words

seconding
second nature
second-rate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Second nature.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second%20nature. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of pundit

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All