naturalistic

[ nach-er-uh-lis-tik, nach-ruh- ]

adjective

1. imitating nature or the usual natural surroundings.
2. pertaining to naturalists or natural history.
3. pertaining to naturalism, especially in literature and art.

naturalistic

/ ˌnætʃrəˈlɪstɪk; -tʃərə- /

adjective

1. of, imitating, or reproducing nature in effect or characteristics
2. of or characteristic of naturalism, esp in art or literature
3. of or relating to naturalists
4. (of an ethical theory) permitting the inference of ethical judgments from statements of nonethical fact See Hume's law

Derived Forms

• ˌnaturalˈistically, adverb

Other Words From

• natu·ral·isti·cal·ly adverb
• anti·natu·ral·istic adjective
• nonnat·u·ral·istic adjective
• unnat·u·ral·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of naturalistic¹

First recorded in 1830–40; natural + -istic

Example Sentences

After 70-plus years in the performing arts, it seems like everyone who works with Squibb, now 95, walks away admiring her wry comic timing, naturalistic delivery and preparation.

From Los Angeles Times

For as serious as those moments of the series can be, Everett also adds that “Somebody Somewhere” found ways to cater to Hiller’s gifts for physical comedy as well his ability to find naturalistic moments of humor.

From Los Angeles Times

But even if it's not the most naturalistic art form at first glance, she argues, "an art form like opera is more true to life because it surfaces the very real interior lives of human beings in music and song . . . with that human element in mind, I think that — regrettably — people sometimes aren’t prepared to hear operatic voices because they are accustomed to popular music that is produced and corrected and amplified."

From Salon

“For example, the Targaryen look, it’s sort of brutalist in style, in terms of its adornment and embroidery, it’s more abstract, whereas the folks at Kings Landing are more naturalistic.”

From BBC

“We worked with a Broadway lighting director to pre-light the stage to make it feel authentic and look naturalistic.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• down-to-earth
• hard-boiled
• lifelike
• sober
• unsentimental