Word
Definition
n. a person who studies plants and animals in nature. They often spend a lot of time outdoors watching how living things behave.
n. an expert in or student of natural history, typically focusing on the observation of plants and animals in their environment.
Examples
“The naturalist spent years observing the behavior of mountain gorillas.”
“During the expedition, the naturalist carefully documented several previously unknown species of orchids and butterflies.”
“While modern biology often relies on laboratory genetics, the classical naturalist emphasizes the importance of observing organisms within the complex web of their native ecosystems.”
Examples
simple
“The naturalist spent years observing the behavior of mountain gorillas.”
contextual
“During the expedition, the naturalist carefully documented several previously unknown species of orchids and butterflies.”
complex
“While modern biology often relies on laboratory genetics, the classical naturalist emphasizes the importance of observing organisms within the complex web of their native ecosystems.”
Usage
Commonly used to describe historical figures like Charles Darwin or modern wildlife experts.
Real-World Examples
“My research reveals that, as early as the 18th century, French explorers and naturalists began claiming that alligators and crocodiles showed a marked preference for attacking and consuming people of African descent.” “Known today as Barbados Pride and Red Bird of Paradise, the tropical shrub was identified by eighteenth-century naturalists as flos pavonis or Poinciana pulcherrima L., a species now classified as Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw.” Etymology
From natural + -ist. Piecewise doublet of naturalista.
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/naturalist
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0