Word
naturalism
Phoneticsnat·u·ral·ism
US/ˈnætʃɝəˌɫɪzəm/
UK/nˈætʃəɹəlˌɪzəm/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a style in art or writing that tries to show life exactly as it is, without any changes or improvements. It focuses on the details of everyday life and how people really behave.
n. a literary and artistic movement that seeks to depict reality with extreme accuracy and detail, often emphasizing the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior. In a legal context, it refers to the theory that law should be based on natural rights and moral principles rather than on positive legislation.
Examples
“The author is famous for his naturalism in describing the harsh lives of workers.”
“The play's naturalism is evident in the realistic dialogue and the detailed set design that mimics a working-class kitchen.”
“While romanticism focused on the sublime and the ideal, naturalism insisted on the gritty, unvarnished truth of the human condition, often portraying characters as victims of their social and biological circumstances.”
Examples
simple
“The author is famous for his naturalism in describing the harsh lives of workers.”
contextual
“The play's naturalism is evident in the realistic dialogue and the detailed set design that mimics a working-class kitchen.”
complex
“While romanticism focused on the sublime and the ideal, naturalism insisted on the gritty, unvarnished truth of the human condition, often portraying characters as victims of their social and biological circumstances.”
Real-World Examples
“It gave the show a naturalism that felt new and fresh in a network drama: when characters paused to think of a reply, they were actually thinking, not just pausing.” Etymology
From natural + -ism. Compare French naturalisme.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/naturalism