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Naturalistic: meaning, definitions and examples

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naturalistic

 

[ ˌnætʃəˈrælɪstɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

art

Relating to or depicting objects, scenes, or events in a style that closely resembles their appearance in real life.

Synonyms

authentic, realistic, true to life.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
naturalistic

This term is often used in art, theater, and literature to describe something that aims to represent real-life conditions accurately, often with a focus on realistic details. It emphasizes a high degree of observation.

  • The painter's naturalistic style captures the intricate details of everyday life.
  • The film's naturalistic dialogue makes the characters feel genuine and relatable.
realistic

This term is common in everyday language to describe something that accurately represents reality or is sensible and practical. It can be used in various contexts, from goals to portrayals in media.

  • The movie has a very realistic portrayal of inner-city life.
  • It's important to set realistic goals that you can achieve.
true to life

This phrase is usually used to describe representations, often in art or media, that are very close to reality. It emphasizes the accuracy and truthfulness of a depiction.

  • The novel offers a true-to-life depiction of rural America.
  • Her paintings are so true to life that they almost seem like photographs.
authentic

This word is used when talking about something genuine, real, or truthful. It often refers to objects, experiences, or performances that are true to their origins or accurately represent their source.

  • The museum exhibited authentic artifacts from ancient Egypt.
  • Her performance in the play was so authentic that the audience felt her emotions deeply.

Examples of usage

  • The artist's naturalistic paintings captured the beauty of the countryside.
  • The movie director used naturalistic lighting to create a sense of realism in the film.
Context #2 | Adjective

biology

Relating to or supporting the view that nature is the ultimate reality and that all knowledge can be obtained through the study of natural processes.

Synonyms

empirical, observational, scientific.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
naturalistic

Used when describing observations or depictions that aim to represent things as they appear in real life without artificial embellishments.

  • The artist's painting was praised for its naturalistic portrayal of rural life.
  • The film's naturalistic dialogues made it feel very authentic.
empirical

Used when referring to knowledge or findings based on observation, experience, or experiments rather than theory.

  • The scientist gathered empirical evidence to support her hypothesis.
  • Their conclusion was founded on empirical data collected over several years.
observational

Used when talking about research or studies that involve watching and recording behaviors without interference.

  • The research was primarily observational, focusing on how children interact with their peers.
  • They conducted an observational study of traffic patterns in the city.
scientific

Used when describing a method or approach that follows systematic and logical procedures used in science.

  • She took a scientific approach to solving the problem, using controlled experiments.
  • His theories revolutionized scientific understanding of genetics.

Examples of usage

  • The naturalistic approach in biology emphasizes the importance of observing organisms in their natural habitats.
  • The scientist's naturalistic worldview led to groundbreaking discoveries in ecology.
Context #3 | Adjective

literature

Representing life or nature faithfully and accurately, without idealization or exaggeration.

Synonyms

true to life, unembellished, unsentimental.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
naturalistic

Used in art, literature, or film to describe something that closely resembles the real world and its complexities.

  • The painting has a naturalistic style, capturing the details of the landscape accurately
  • The filmmaker's naturalistic approach makes the characters feel very real

Examples of usage

  • The author's naturalistic writing style portrayed the harsh realities of urban life.
  • The novel took a naturalistic approach to storytelling, focusing on the characters' everyday struggles.

Translations

Translations of the word "naturalistic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 naturalístico

🇮🇳 प्राकृतिकवादी

🇩🇪 naturalistisch

🇮🇩 naturalis

🇺🇦 натуралістичний

🇵🇱 naturalistyczny

🇯🇵 自然主義的 (しぜんしゅぎてき)

🇫🇷 naturaliste

🇪🇸 naturalista

🇹🇷 naturalist

🇰🇷 자연주의적인

🇸🇦 طبيعي

🇨🇿 naturalistický

🇸🇰 naturalistický

🇨🇳 自然主义的 (zìrán zhǔyì de)

🇸🇮 naturalističen

🇮🇸 náttúruvísindalegur

🇰🇿 натуралистік

🇬🇪 ნატურალისტური

🇦🇿 naturalistik

🇲🇽 naturalista

Etymology

The term 'naturalistic' originated in the mid-19th century from the word 'naturalist', which referred to a person who studies natural history. Over time, 'naturalistic' came to describe anything that is true to nature or reality, whether in art, literature, or philosophy. The concept of naturalism has its roots in ancient Greek philosophy and has evolved through various intellectual movements. Today, naturalistic principles are widely used in fields such as art, science, and literature to emphasize the importance of observation and empirical evidence.

See also: naturalism, naturalist, naturalize, naturalness, supernatural, unnatural, unnaturally.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,058, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.