natures

Natures is the plural form of nature and can refer to several related concepts depending on context. In a broad sense, it denotes the physical world and its phenomena—the plants, animals, landscapes, atmosphere, and all that exists independently of human intervention. It can also signify the intrinsic qualities or dispositions of beings or things, that is, what makes something what it is at its core.

Etymology and senses. The word nature derives from Latin natura, meaning birth or intrinsic quality. In everyday language, nature is used to describe both the external world and the essential properties of objects or organisms. When people speak of “the natures” of things, they are often referring to their enduring characteristics, tendencies, or temperaments.

Science and philosophy. In natural sciences, nature encompasses the observable universe and its laws. Philosophical discussions commonly distinguish nature from nurture, asking whether behavior and traits arise more from genetics or environment. The concept of human nature seeks to identify common, species-wide features of humans, though theories vary widely across cultures and historical periods. Some traditions also examine the nature of substances, essences, or the purposes of things (teleology) to explain why they are as they are.

Usage and nuance. The term nature appears in many phrases, such as the nature of matter, the nature of a problem, or the nature of a person’s temper. Across disciplines, “natures” often signals core, enduring, or defining aspects, whether describing the physical world, the inherent properties of entities, or the dispositions that influence behavior.