natural

1 of 2

adjective

nat·​u·​ral ˈna-ch(ə-)rəl How to pronounce natural (audio)
1
: based on an inherent sense of right and wrong
natural justice
2
a
: being in accordance with or determined by nature
natural impulses
b
: having or constituting a classification based on features existing in nature
3
a
: connected by direct genetic relationship rather than by adoption or marriage : biological
their natural son
her natural parents
b
: born to parents not married to each other
a natural child
c
archaic : born in wedlock : legitimate
4
: having an essential relation with someone or something : following from the nature of the one in question
his guilt is a natural deduction from the evidence
5
: implanted or being as if implanted by nature : seemingly inborn
a natural talent for art
6
: of or relating to nature as an object of study and research
natural observations
7
: having a specified character by nature
a natural athlete
a natural leader
8
a
: occurring in conformity with the ordinary course of nature : not marvelous or supernatural
natural causes
died a natural death
b
: formulated by human reason alone rather than revelation
natural religion
natural rights
c
: having a normal or usual character
events followed their natural course
9
: possessing or exhibiting the higher qualities (such as kindliness and affection) of human nature
… a noble … brother … ever most kind and naturalWilliam Shakespeare
10
a
: growing without human care
also : not cultivated
natural prairie unbroken by the plow
b
: existing in or produced by nature : not artificial
natural turf
natural curiosities
c
: relating to or being natural food
11
a
: being in a state of nature without spiritual enlightenment : unregenerate
natural man
b
: living in or as if in a state of nature untouched by the influences of civilization and society
12
a
: having a physical or real existence as contrasted with one that is spiritual, intellectual, or fictitious
A corporation is a legal but not a natural person.
b
: of, relating to, or operating in the physical as opposed to the spiritual world
Natural laws describe phenomena of the physical universe.
13
a
: closely resembling an original : true to nature
b
: marked by easy simplicity and freedom from artificiality, affectation, or constraint
Successful people are genuine and natural rather than synthetic and imitative.Gilbert Seldes
c
: having a form or appearance found in nature
natural hair
14
a
: having neither flats nor sharps
the natural scale of C major
b
: being neither sharp nor flat
natural musical notes
c
: having the pitch modified by the natural sign
15
: of an off-white or beige color
naturalness noun

natural

2 of 2

noun

1
: one born without the usual powers of reason and understanding
2
a
: a sign ♮ placed on any degree of the musical staff to nullify the effect of a preceding sharp or flat
b
: a note or tone affected by the natural sign
3
: a result or combination that immediately wins the stake in a game: such as
a
: a throw of 7 or 11 on the first cast in craps
4
a
: one having natural skills, talents, or abilities
b
: something that is likely to become an immediate success
c
: one that is obviously suitable for a specific purpose
5
: afro
Choose the Right Synonym for natural

natural, ingenuous, naive, unsophisticated, artless mean free from pretension or calculation.

natural implies lacking artificiality and self-consciousness and having a spontaneousness suggesting the natural rather than the man-made world.

her unaffected, natural manner

ingenuous implies inability to disguise or conceal one's feelings or intentions.

the ingenuous enthusiasm of children

naive suggests lack of worldly wisdom often connoting credulousness and unchecked innocence.

politically naive

unsophisticated implies a lack of experience and training necessary for social ease and adroitness.

unsophisticated adolescents

artless suggests a naturalness resulting from unawareness of the effect one is producing on others.

artless charm

synonyms see in addition regular

Examples of natural in a Sentence

Adjective furniture made of natural materials The river forms a natural boundary between the two countries. natural foods like whole grain bread and fresh vegetables Gray hair is one of the natural consequences of getting older. a natural increase in the population the natural course of the disease It's perfectly natural to feel nervous before a test. Noun European explorers had a tendency to view the nonwhite peoples they encountered as uncivilized naturals.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The 10-square-mile Lake Xochimilco is a unique body of water, a natural drainage basin with slightly salty water. Kate Golembiewski, CNN, 16 Mar. 2024 For Donley, the decision to add a political bent to her videos and endorse the boycott was a natural progression. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024 Designed for weekly treatments, this leaves the scalp in its best natural state. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024 Help yourself to the heated pool, natural wines, a nearby hot spring, lots of luxurious amenities, and beautiful grounds to walk around in. Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2024 The frame of the chair is made with natural pine, which is perfect for fans of the warm wood trend or anyone looking for a classic, neutral furniture piece. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2024 Almond flour: Made from ground blanched almonds, pale yellow almond flour (not meal or natural almond flour!) is mild and buttery tasting, lending a fudgy, nubby texture to brownies and cakes. Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appétit, 15 Mar. 2024 This process also mimics what natural seed dispersal might do. Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Mar. 2024 Using these measures can help protect your skin's natural barrier.17 Stasis Dermatitis Stasis dermatitis (also called venous stasis) is usually a symptom of an underlying health condition. Amanda Gardner, Health, 4 Mar. 2024
Noun
Spring’s young asparagus and green peas are naturals. Fred Thompson, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Pissarro puns, in fact, on the resemblance of the smokestacks, atmospherically softened, to the poplar trees rising to their right, the made and the natural evened out by light. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2023 Abbott and Plaza are naturals in these roles—he, with his gentle demeanor but brooding underbelly; she, with her characteristic deadpan humor. Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 15 Nov. 2023 There are plenty of people who are complete naturals but for me, the classes made a huge difference. Jenelle Riley, Variety, 22 Sep. 2023 Workmanlike in his delivery, with eyes glued on the teleprompters, Burgum may not look like a political natural, but his hope is that Republican voters will want a solid technician to return the party to its low-tax, deregulatory entrepreneurial roots. Jonathan Weisman and Nick Corasaniti, BostonGlobe.com, 7 June 2023 Cornish, a natural on television, now appears regularly on CNN, and she’s even filled in for Don Lemon; her easy intelligence can be a little disarming in a morning-chat format. Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2023 When the regional Mexican rhythm comes in at the 1:57 minute mark, Benito sounds like a natural. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 2 May 2023 No problem for the young natural. Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 25 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'natural.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French naturel, from Latin naturalis of nature, from natura nature

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of natural was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near natural

Cite this Entry

“Natural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/natural. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

natural

1 of 2 adjective
nat·​u·​ral ˈnach-(ə-)rəl How to pronounce natural (audio)
1
: born in or with one : innate
natural ability
2
: being such by nature : born
a natural musician
3
: biological sense 2
her natural parents
4
a
: growing without human care
natural forests
b
: existing in or produced by nature
natural scenery
c
: relating to or being natural food
5
: human entry 1 sense 1
it is not natural to howl at the moon
6
: of, relating to, or following the usual events and happenings of nature or the physical world : not miraculous
natural causes
7
: not made or changed by humans
natural silk
a person's natural complexion
8
: being simple and sincere
natural manners
9
: lifelike
the people in the picture look natural
10
a
: having neither sharps nor flats in the key signature
b
: having a sharp or a flat changed in pitch by a natural sign
naturalness noun

natural

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: a sign ♮ placed on a line or space of the musical staff to change a sharp or flat in the key signature back to the natural tone value
b
: a note or tone changed by the natural sign
2
: one naturally able to do or to learn easily how to do something
a natural at golf
3
: afro

Medical Definition

natural

adjective
nat·​u·​ral ˈnach-(ə-)rəl How to pronounce natural (audio)
1
: having, constituting, or relating to a classification based on features existing in nature
2
: of or relating to nature as an object of study and research
3
: relating to or being natural food

Legal Definition

natural

adjective
nat·​u·​ral
1
: based on an inherent sense of right and wrong
natural justice
see also natural law, natural right
2
a
: existing as part of or determined by nature
the natural condition of the land
b
: being in accordance with or arising from nature especially as distinguished from operation of law see also natural person compare artificial
c
: arising from the usual course of events
a natural result of the accident
3
a
: begotten as distinguished from adopted
b
: being a relation by consanguinity as distinguished from adoption
natural parents
4
: illegitimate
a natural child
naturally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on natural

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!