na·ture 
/ˈneɪtʃɚ/ noun
plural na·tures /ˈneɪtʃɚ/ noun 1 also Nature [noncount] a : the physical world and everything in it (such as plants, animals, mountains, oceans, stars, etc.) that is not made by people
▪ the beauty of nature ▪ She is a real nature lover. = She really loves nature. [=she loves to spend time outdoors] ▪ He devoted himself to the study of nature. ▪ That is a color not found in nature. ▪ nature photography ▪ nature conservation
b : the natural forces that control what happens in the world
▪ the forces of nature ▪ Hunger is nature's way of telling you to eat. ▪ Gravity is one of the basic laws of nature. — see also call of nature, freak of nature, mother nature 2 : the way that a person or animal behaves : the character or personality of a person or animal [count] ▪ She has a competitive nature. [=she is competitive] ▪ The differences in their natures was easy to see. ▪ an animal with a gentle nature [=a gentle animal] [noncount] ▪ The children took advantage of the teacher's good nature. [=the teacher's kindness] ▪ She's very competitive by nature. — see also good-natured, human nature, ill-natured, second nature 3 : a basic quality that something has [count] — usually singular — often + of ▪ the nature of steel ▪ What is the true nature of democracy? ▪ Because of the fragile nature of the manuscripts [=because the manuscripts are fragile], the museum keeps them behind glass. [noncount] ▪ Her writing is humorous in nature. [=her writing has humorous qualities] 4 [singular] : a particular kind of thing
▪ What is the nature of your problem? [=what kind of problem do you have?] ▪ papers of a confidential nature [=papers that are confidential] ▪ His medical condition is not of a serious nature. [=is not serious] ▪ You'll need to bring a toothbrush, soap, and things of that nature. [=other similar things]
▪ the beauty of nature ▪ She is a real nature lover. = She really loves nature. [=she loves to spend time outdoors] ▪ He devoted himself to the study of nature. ▪ That is a color not found in nature. ▪ nature photography ▪ nature conservation
b : the natural forces that control what happens in the world
▪ the forces of nature ▪ Hunger is nature's way of telling you to eat. ▪ Gravity is one of the basic laws of nature. — see also call of nature, freak of nature, mother nature
▪ What is the nature of your problem? [=what kind of problem do you have?] ▪ papers of a confidential nature [=papers that are confidential] ▪ His medical condition is not of a serious nature. [=is not serious] ▪ You'll need to bring a toothbrush, soap, and things of that nature. [=other similar things]
get/go back to nature also return to nature
: to spend time living in a simple way without modern machines, electricity, etc.
▪ They went on a camping trip to get back to nature.
▪ They went on a camping trip to get back to nature.
let nature take its course
: to allow something to happen without trying to control it
▪ The injury should heal within a few weeks if you just let nature take its course.
▪ The injury should heal within a few weeks if you just let nature take its course.
