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

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

From Los Angeles Times

The towering metal architecture and claustrophobic halls of Still Wakes the Deep are less naturalistic than the studio’s previous game worlds, but certainly no less evocative.

From New York Times

Shifting between naturalistic camerawork and static shots of uncanny landscapes and sunless skies, the film zooms in on Agnes’s deteriorating psychological state with minimal dialogue.

From New York Times

The story emerges in morsels of naturalistic dialogue and brief, on-point scenes that incrementally sketch in the characters’ intimacy, shared history, familial relationships and distinct temperaments.

From New York Times

Related Words

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