ENGLISH
REFERENCE

nativity

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //nəˈtɪvəti// UK //nɐtˈɪvɪti// na·tiv·i·ty Archaic

n. the birth of a person, especially the birth of Jesus Christ. It often refers to the story or a play about this event.

n. the occasion of a person's birth; specifically, the birth of Jesus Christ. Often used to refer to artistic or theatrical representations of the biblical birth narrative.


SIMPLE

The children are practicing for the school nativity play.

CONTEXTUAL

Every December, the town square features a large nativity scene with wooden figures of the holy family.

COMPLEX

Renaissance painters often focused on the nativity as a central theme, using light and shadow to emphasize the divinity of the newborn child within a humble stable setting.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

See nativity.

Usage

Capitalized as 'the Nativity' when referring specifically to the birth of Jesus; lowercase for the general concept of birth.

© 2026 English Reference