What is nature? Pronunciation and usage in English

nature means . Learn how to pronounce and use nature through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of nature

naturenoun

/ˈneɪtʃə/
Definition & pronunciation of nature

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "nature" in English. Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈnætʃər/ (This is the IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet representation)

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. "nat": This sounds like "nah-tuh". The "a" is a short "a" sound, like in "hat." The "t" is a regular "t" sound.

  2. "ure": This is where it can trip people up. It sounds like "cheer" but with a shorter "e" sound. It's pronounced like "yoo-ruh" but with a softer "r" sound at the end.

Putting it together:

It flows together as “nah-cheer.”

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("nat").

  • "ure" Sound: Really focus on making that "ure" sound like a quick, soft "cheer" with a reduced "r" at the end. Don’t overemphasize the "r."

  • Listen to examples: This is really helpful. Search on YouTube for "how to pronounce nature" and listen to native English speakers saying it. Here are a few links:

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you more examples of words with similar sounds?

Usage and examples with the word nature in English

Let's break down how to use the word "nature" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings and ways to employ it.

1. The Broadest Meaning: The Natural World

  • Definition: This is the most common understanding of "nature." It refers to everything that is not made by humans – plants, animals, landscapes, weather, etc.
  • Examples:
    • "I love spending time in nature." (Referring to forests, mountains, oceans, etc.)
    • "The nature of the problem is complex." (Referring to the inherent qualities of something.)
    • "Wildlife is an important part of nature."
    • "The nature of the evidence suggests…” (Referring to the underlying qualities of evidence.)

2. Human Character and Disposition

  • Definition: "Nature" can also describe someone's innate character traits – their tendencies, personality, and how they’re naturally inclined. This usage is often influenced by classical philosophy (think Aristotle).
  • Examples:
    • "He has a gentle nature." (He’s naturally kind and friendly.)
    • "She's a very ambitious nature." (She's driven and eager to achieve.)
    • "Despite his rough exterior, he had a good nature." (He was fundamentally a good person.)
    • "It’s just his nature to be restless." (It’s a part of who he is.)

3. The Essence or Fundamental Quality

  • Definition: You can use "nature" to describe the essential qualities or underlying principles of something. It's about the core, what something truly is.
  • Examples:
    • "The nature of the agreement is to be confidential." (The fundamental aspect of the agreement.)
    • "The nature of the law dictates…” (The underlying principles of the law.)
    • "Understanding the nature of the disease is crucial.” (Understanding the core aspects of the disease.)

4. Used as a Noun Phrase – Specific Aspects of Nature

  • “The nature of…” is a common phrase used to ask about the essential characteristics or principles of something.
    • "What is the nature of this relationship?" (What’s its essential character?)
    • "Let’s discuss the nature of the problem." (Let’s examine its underlying aspects.)

5. Figurative/Poetic Uses

  • “In the nature of things”: This phrase means “it's inevitable,” “that’s just the way it is,” or "that’s a given.”
    • "With the economy slowing, layoffs are in the nature of things."

Tips for Using "Nature" Effectively:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "nature" is heavily dependent on the context of the sentence.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms to avoid repetition and to match the tone of your writing or speech: wilderness, environment, surroundings, world, essence
  • Be specific: When referring to the natural world, try to be specific about what aspect of nature you mean (e.g., "the forest," "the ocean," "the mountains").

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to do with the word "nature"? (e.g., write a story, have a conversation, answer a question?)

Synonyms for the word nature

Idioms of the word nature

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.
  • We built our house in the country because we wanted to get back to nature.
the call of nature
(humorous)the need to go to the toilet
    a force of nature
    a person with a very strong personality who is full of energy, very determined and difficult for others to resist
    • Gerard is a force of nature, continually pursuing his target when everyone else is ready to give up.
    the forces of nature
    the power of the wind, rain, etc., especially when it causes damage or harm
    • They were fighting a losing battle against the forces of nature.
    in the nature of something
    similar to something; a type of something; in the style of something
    • 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.
    let nature take its course
    to allow natural processes to happen, without trying to stop or change them (used especially in the context of illness)
    • The midwife must judge when to let nature take its course and when to intervene.
    • When the dog responded so badly to the treatment, we decided to let nature take its course.

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