English Reference
Adjective

naturalistic

adj.
C1 Advanced US /ˌnætʃɝəˈɫɪstɪk/ UK /nˌætʃəɹəlˈɪstɪk/ nat·u·ral·is·tic Medicine

adj.describing something that looks or feels like it belongs in nature. In medicine, it often means a treatment that uses natural substances or methods rather than chemicals.

adj.relating to or resembling nature; in a medical context, it describes treatments or therapies that use natural substances or processes rather than synthetic drugs.


SIMPLE

The doctor recommended a naturalistic approach to the patient's recovery.

CONTEXTUAL

Many patients prefer naturalistic remedies like herbal teas and acupuncture over traditional pharmaceuticals for minor ailments.

COMPLEX

The study compared the effectiveness of naturalistic interventions, such as dietary changes and exercise, with conventional medical treatments for chronic fatigue.

It’s also good to hear Brammall perfectly deliver quintessentially Australian lines (such as “my life’s still in the shitter”) in a naturalistic way we don’t always hear on television.

The Guardian· 9 Sept 2026

Naturalistic performances anchor some of the sweetest scenes as the foursome celebrate each other’s birthdays and play made-up road trip games.

The Guardian· 20 Aug 2026

From naturalist + -ic or natural + -istic.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated