nature

Từ điển Oxford Learners Wordfinder Dictionary

see also ENVIRONMENT, ANIMAL, PLANT
- everything in the world that was not made by people (the land, the sea, the plants, animals, etc): nature (noun U)
the wonders of nature ◎ If we destroy too many forests, we will destroy the balance of nature.
- connected with things that were not made by people: natural; opposites: artificial, man-made
the natural world ◎ the exploitation of the world's natural resources ◎ I don't like zoos - animals should be allowed to live in their natural surroundings. ◎ artificial flowers ◎ man-made materials such as polyester
- the natural surroundings where plants, animals and people live: the environment (noun singular)
Nowadays people are more aware of the need to protect the environment.
- the natural place where a particular type of animal or plant lives: habitat
to study animals in their natural habitat.
- the relationship between living things and their natural surroundings: ecology (noun U); adjective: ecological
an ecological disaster caused by an oil spill
- when an animal or plant lives in its natural surroundings, it is wild
wild animals
- wild animals, birds, etc: wildlife (noun U)
Did you see that wildlife programme on TV last night?
- any place that is far from towns and cities, and where animals, birds, etc live in their natural surroundings: the wild (noun singular)
There are very few tigers still living in the wild.
- the natural force that makes a person or animal do sth without having to learn to do it: instinct (noun U/C); adjective: instinctive
Migrating birds know where to fly by instinct. ◎ an instinct to run away from danger ◎ instinctive behaviour
- the slow development of animals and plants over millions of years: evolution (noun U); verb: evolve; adjective: evolutionary
the theory of evolution ◎ Plants and animals evolved over millions of years. ◎ evolutionary processes
- when a type of animal or plant dies out and does not exist any more, it becomes extinct; noun (U): extinction
Dinosaurs are extinct. ◎ Many species of animals are in danger of extinction.
- a type of animal or plant that is in danger of becoming extinct is an endangered species
※—† studying nature
- the study of plants and animals: natural history (noun U)
the Natural History Museum
- a person who studies animals and plants: naturalist
- the study of the relationship between living things and their surroundings: ecology (noun U)
- a person who studies ecology: ecologist
※ the scientific study of living things SCIENCE