nature

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English Vietnamese dictionary

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Advanced English dictionary

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+ noun
plants, animals
1 (often Nature) [U] all the plants, animals and things that exist in the universe that are not made by people: the beauties of nature + man-made substances not found in nature + nature conservation
Help Note: You cannot use 'the nature' in this meaning: the beauties of the nature. It is often better to use another appropriate word, for example the countryside, the scenery or wildlife:
We stopped to admire the scenery. + We stopped to admire the nature.
2 (often Nature) [U] the way that things happen in the physical world when it is not controlled by people: the forces / laws of nature + Just let nature take its course. + Her illness was Nature's way of telling her to do less.
See also - MOTHER NATURE
character
3 [C, U] the usual way that a person or an animal behaves that is part of their character: It's not in his nature to be unkind. + She is very sensitive by nature. + We appealed to his better nature (= his kindness).
See also - GOOD NATURE, HUMAN NATURE, SECOND NATURE
basic qualities
4 [sing.] the basic qualities of a thing: the changing nature of society + It's difficult to define the exact nature of the problem. + My work is very specialized in nature. + The future by its very nature is uncertain.
type / kind
5 [sing.] a type or kind of sth: books of a scientific nature + Don't worry about things of that nature.
-natured
6 (in adjectives) having the type of character or quality mentioned: a good-natured man
Idioms: against nature not natural; not moral: Murder is a crime against nature.
(get, go, etc.) back to nature to return to a simple kind of life in the country, away from cities: When you're camping, you can get back to nature.
in the nature of sth similar to sth; a type of sth; in the style of sth: His speech was in the nature of an apology.
in the nature of things in the way that things usually happen: In the nature of things, young people often rebel against their parents.
more at CALL n., FORCE n.

Thesaurus dictionary

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n.

1 quality, properties, features, character, personality, make-up, essence, constitution, identity, attributes, disposition, temperament, complexion:

Only detailed analysis will reveal the nature of this compound. It is not in his nature to be envious

2 universe, cosmos, world, creation, environment:

Science fiction deals with phenomena and contrivances that defy the laws of nature

3 scenery, countryside, wildness, primitiveness, simplicity:

I often enjoyed sitting by the river, communing with nature.

4 kind, variety, description, sort, class, category, type, genre, species; stamp, cast, mould, feather, kidney, colour, stripe:

The duties of the position are largely of a ceremonial nature.

5 by nature. See naturally, 2, above.

naught

n.

nought, nothing, nil, zero, aught or ought; ruin, destruction, disaster, collapse, failure:

All my efforts had come to naught.

Collocation dictionary

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¹ the physical world; plants, animals, etc.

ADJ.

Mother

Mother Nature had served up some terrible weather for their cruise.

VERB + NATURE

commune with

He believed in spending half an hour each day to relax and commune with nature.

| be/get back to

We built our house in the country because we wanted to get back (= be close)to nature.

| be found in

man-made substances not found in nature

NATURE + VERB

endow (sb with) sth

Nature had endowed her with exceptional vitality.

| produce sth

It's unlikely that this gully was produced by nature.

NATURE + NOUN

conservation | reserve | trail

PREP.

close to ~

people who live in the country and are close to nature

| in ~

We appreciate beauty in nature.

PHRASES

the forces of nature, the laws of nature, a love of nature

His love of nature was expressed through his wildlife paintings.

² qualities/features of sb/sth

ADJ.

basic, essential, fundamental, intrinsic, real, true | artificial | exact, precise, specific

I'm not clear about the exact nature of their relationship.

| general | selective | limited, restrictive | changing, seasonal, temporary, transitory | uncertain, unpredictable | arbitrary, random | subjective

the subjective nature of an odour

| abstract | capricious, fickle | intractable | distinctive, unusual | radical | complex | special, specialist | traditional | controversial | contradictory | problematic | unsatisfactory

the unsatisfactory nature of the meeting

| good

People are always taking advantage of her good nature (= her kindness).

| human

It's only human nature to want more money.

| divine | confidential, personal, private | public | international, local

the international nature of the business

| repetitive | routine

matters of a routine nature

| detailed

Because of the detailed nature of the work, I have to use a very fine brush.

| practical | physical, psychological, sexual

They define sexual harassment as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.

| economic, legal, political, social

Their problems are of an economic nature.

| contemplative | inquisitive

VERB + NATURE

have

He has an inquisitive nature.

| reveal

The parties would not reveal the exact nature of the dispute.

| conceal | reflect | belie

The gentle lower slopes belie the true nature of the mountain.

| be contrary to, be/run against

It was against his nature to tell lies.

| alter, change

This new information does not change the nature of our findings.

| acknowledge, be aware of, recognize

Are you aware of the nature of the risks involved?

| define, specify

It is important to define the nature of the problem.

| assess, consider, discuss, examine, explore, investigate | comprehend, realize, understand | misconceive | clarify, elucidate, explain, give/offer/provide an insight into

His theory provides a remarkable insight into the nature of the British constitution.

| describe | determine | depend on

The method employed will depend on the nature of the task.

| appeal to

There was no point appealing to her better nature (= kindness).

PREP.

by ~

He's not by nature an inquisitive person.

| concerning the ~

a debate concerning the nature of violence

| considering/given the ~

Given the nature of this matter, I am inclined to think it should be managed by you personally.

| in ~

Their strategy was essentially political in nature.

| in sb/sth's ~

It's not in his nature to complain. A certain element of risk is in the nature of the job.

| of a … ~

The legal concept of insanity is of a different nature from the medical.

PHRASES

by its very nature

By its very nature a secret service is not open to public inspection.

| the extent and nature of sth

We need to understand the true extent and nature of the problem.

| a part of sb's nature

the expressive part of his nature Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.

| a side of/to sb's nature

He had a vicious side to his nature.

Concise English dictionary

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natures'neɪtʃə(r)
noun
+the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
+a causal agent creating and controlling things in the universe
+the natural physical world including plants and animals and landscapes etc.
+the complex of emotional and intellectual attributes that determine a person's characteristic actions and reactions
+a particular type of thing