naturalist

Everyday

1. A naturalist is a person who studies plants, animals and nature, often by watching them carefully in the wild. tree →
2. (rare, art and literature) A naturalist is a writer or artist who shows life exactly as it is. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, famous naturalists include Charles Darwin and David Attenborough, who observed living things closely. Children can be young naturalists by keeping nature diaries, pond dipping and bird watching. Common phrases: «a keen naturalist», «a young naturalist», «amateur naturalist», «field naturalist».

Examples

• Charles Darwin was a naturalist who sailed around the world. tree →
• The park naturalist showed us how to find frogs. tree →
• She keeps a nature diary like a real naturalist. tree →
• David Attenborough is a famous naturalist and broadcaster. tree →
• The naturalist sketched every butterfly she saw. tree →
• Our class joined the Young Naturalists club. tree →
• A naturalist needs patience and sharp eyes. tree →
• "There sits a good specimen of a toad," said the naturalist. tree →

Note

Plural: naturalists. Do not confuse with «naturist» (a person who likes to go without clothes) — a funny but real trap. Related: «natural history» (the study of nature).