naturalism

N1A1T1U1R1A1L1I1S1M3
/ˈnatʃ(ə)rəlɪz(ə)m/

noun

A state of nature; conformity to nature.

Similar
Less commonScrabble 12

Meanings

nounnaturalism (countable and uncountable, plural naturalisms)

plural naturalisms

  1. countableuncountableA state of nature; conformity to nature.
  2. countableuncountableThe doctrine that denies a supernatural agency in the miracles and revelations recorded in religious texts and in spiritual influences.
  3. countableuncountablehuman sciencesAny system of philosophy which refers the phenomena of nature as a blind force or forces acting necessarily or according to fixed laws, excluding origination or direction by a will.
  4. countableuncountablehuman sciencesA doctrine which denies a strong separation between scientific and philosophic methodologies and/or topics
  5. countableuncountableartA movement in theatre, film, and literature that seeks to replicate a believable everyday reality, as opposed to such movements as romanticism, surrealism, or abstract art, in which subjects may receive highly symbolic or idealistic treatment.

    More perfect than all in design and technique is a relief of a goat suckling her young, characterised, as it is, not only by naturalism, but also, as Mr. Evans claims, "by a certain ideal dignity and balance."

    1907, Ronald M. Burrows, The Discoveries In Crete, page 21
  6. countablenonstandarduncountablenaturism, nudism, social nudity.

    In most of the world nudity is prohibited. Where it is not, such as where "Nudism" and "Naturalism" prevails, it is usually the main thing going on.

    2002, Ishvara, Oneness in Living: Kundalini Yoga, the Spiritual Path, and the Intentional Community, page 133
    2 more examples

    "In the early 1950s, naturalism was seriously studied by the U.S. military, the concept being that exercising in the nude, as the ancient Greek generals did, was good for both the body and the mind," Seacrest reveals.

    3 December 2002, Corey Michaels, “Area 51 Shocker”, in Weekly World News

    Besides progressive trends from the West, defenders of naturalism also called attention to "primitive" minorities who, like innocent children, were construed as effortless practitioners of naturalism with physical strength and beauty.

    2013, Yunxiang Gao, Sporting Gender: Women Athletes and Celebrity-Making during China's National Crisis, 1931–45
  7. countableuncountablegovernmentThe belief in natural law.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounan artistic movement in 19th century France; artists and writers strove for detailed realistic and factual description

Similar
Broader
artistic movementart movement

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

Translations

Czech naturalismus
  • naturalismusa state of nature; conformity to nature
Danish naturalisme
  • naturalismea state of nature; conformity to nature
Dutch naturalisme
  • naturalismea state of nature; conformity to nature
Finnish naturalismi
  • naturalismia state of nature; conformity to nature
Greek φυσιοκρατία, φυσισμός
  • φυσιοκρατία (fysiokratía)a state of nature; conformity to nature
  • φυσισμός (fysismós)a state of nature; conformity to nature
Hungarian naturalizmus
  • naturalizmusa state of nature; conformity to nature
Icelandic natúralismi
  • natúralismia state of nature; conformity to nature
Italian naturalismo
  • naturalismoa state of nature; conformity to nature
Norwegian Bokmål naturalisme
  • naturalismea state of nature; conformity to nature
Polish naturalizm
  • naturalizma state of nature; conformity to nature
Portuguese naturalismo
  • naturalismoa state of nature; conformity to nature
Romanian naturalism
  • naturalisma state of nature; conformity to nature
Russian натурали́зм
  • натурали́зм (naturalízm)a state of nature; conformity to nature
Spanish naturalismo
  • naturalismoa state of nature; conformity to nature

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

Cite this entry
APA

naturalism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/naturalism

MLA

“naturalism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/naturalism. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “naturalism,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/naturalism.

Source: naturalism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.