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Naturalistic: meaning, definitions and examples

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naturalistic

 

[ˌnætʃəˈrælɪstɪk ]

Definitions

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.

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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.

Interesting Facts

Art

  • Naturalism emerged in the Renaissance, where artists strived to depict subjects as they appear in real life, incorporating accurate perspectives and proportions.
  • Famous artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo showcased naturalistic styles, focusing on human anatomy and light to create lifelike figures.
  • The movement led to realistic depictions in paintings and sculptures, breaking away from the idealized forms of earlier periods.

Literature

  • In literature, naturalism is a style that suggests that environment, heredity, and social conditions shape human character, closely aligning with realism.
  • Authors like Émile Zola and Stephen Crane explored themes of survival and morality, highlighting how natural forces can influence human behavior.
  • Naturalistic writing often features detailed descriptions of settings and characters to create a vivid, immersive experience for readers.

Philosophy

  • Philosophical naturalism posits that everything arises from natural properties and causes, rejecting supernatural explanations.
  • The perspective promotes understanding the world through science and reason, forming a basis for various modern scientific disciplines.
  • This view has influenced debates on ethics by arguing that moral values are part of the natural world rather than divine mandates.

Theatre

  • Naturalistic theatre, developed in the late 19th century, aimed to create extremely realistic sets and dialogues to reflect real life.
  • Playwrights like Anton Chekhov and Henrik Ibsen emphasized real-life situations and characters in their works, making the audience relate to the story.
  • Actors trained in naturalistic methods focus on genuine emotions to connect with the audience, enhancing the realism on stage.

Film

  • Film naturalism seeks to portray real-life experiences and emotions authentically, often using handheld cameras and natural light.
  • Directors like Ken Loach and the Dardenne brothers are known for their naturalistic styles, focusing on the life of everyday people in their narratives.
  • Documentary filmmaking often embraces naturalistic techniques to capture reality, emphasizing unscripted and unedited footage.

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

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.