Naturalist
/ˈnætʃərəlɪst/
Definitions
A person who studies natural history, especially plants and animals.
/ˈnætʃərəlɪst/
An expert in or student of natural history.
The famous naturalist, Charles Darwin, developed the theory of evolution.
💡 Simply: Imagine a person who loves to explore the wild and learn about all the plants and animals. This person is like a detective for nature. For example, a naturalist might spend their days watching birds, collecting plants, or learning about how different animals live.
👶 For kids: A naturalist is someone who likes to study animals and plants!
More Examples
She is a dedicated naturalist who spends her weekends birdwatching.
The museum hired a team of naturalists to catalogue the newly discovered species.
How It's Used
"The naturalist studied the flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest."
"Thoreau was a renowned naturalist who documented his observations of nature."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
From French *naturaliste* (1724), from Latin *natura* ('nature') + -*ist* ('one who studies').
The term gained prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries with the rise of scientific exploration and the study of natural history. Prominent naturalists like Darwin and Linnaeus helped establish the field.
Memory tip
Think of someone who is 'naturally interested' in studying nature.
Word Origin
"nature, character"