naturalist

1 of 2

noun

nat·u·ral·ist ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-list

: a student of natural history

especially : a field biologist

: one that advocates or practices naturalism

naturalist

2 of 2

adjective

nat·u·ral·ist ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-list

less common variant of naturalistic

: of, characterized by, or according with naturalism

Examples of naturalist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Noun

Previous recipients include Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin, naturalist David Attenborough, primatologist Jane Goodall and astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026 The fabulously wealthy young naturalist and botanist Joseph Banks shared Rousseau’s interest in indigenous societies – and was willing to spend a fortune to study them. — Saar Shahar, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026 Known as the Shark Bay UNESCO World Heritage Site, the place gets its name from English buccaneer-cum-naturalist William Dampier, who was overcome by the bay’s sheer abundance and the size of the marine predators during a visit in 1699. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 Sculptural hems and peplums gave the clothes an underwater buoyancy, while naturalist David Attenborough’s voice supplied the ocean-conservation message. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for naturalist

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of naturalist was in 1587

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naturalism

naturalist

naturalistic

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Style

“Naturalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naturalist. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

naturalist

noun

nat·u·ral·ist ˈnach-(ə-)rə-ləst

: a person who specializes in natural history

naturalist adjective

naturalist

noun

adjective

Examples of naturalist in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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