naturalist

1 of 2

noun

nat·​u·​ral·​ist ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-list 

1

: a student of natural history

especially : a field biologist

2

: one that advocates or practices naturalism

naturalist

2 of 2

adjective

nat·​u·​ral·​ist ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-list 

less common variant of naturalistic

: of, characterized by, or according with naturalism

Examples of naturalist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Known as the Shark Bay UNESCO World Heritage Site, the place gets its name from English buccaneer-cum-naturalist William Dampier, who was overcome by the bay’s sheer abundance and the size of the marine predators during a visit in 1699. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

Sculptural hems and peplums gave the clothes an underwater buoyancy, while naturalist David Attenborough’s voice supplied the ocean-conservation message. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Gather at the White Point Nature Education Center for a free bird walk guided by a naturalist and hosted by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Expert naturalists lead visitors to the Tennessee River’s Maclellan Island, known locally as Goat Island for the goats that help control invasive plant species threatening the island’s ecological health. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

naturalist

noun

nat·​u·​ral·​ist ˈnach-(ə-)rə-ləst 

: a person who specializes in natural history

naturalist adjective