natural

¹nat·u·ral

adjective \ˈna-chə-rəl, ˈnach-rəl\

Definition of NATURAL

1

: based on an inherent sense of right and wrong <natural justice>

2

a : being in accordance with or determined by nature

b : having or constituting a classification based on features existing in nature

3

a (1) : begotten as distinguished from adopted; also : legitimate (2) : being a relation by actual consanguinity as distinguished from adoption <natural parents>

b : illegitimate <a natural child>

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

7

: having a specified character by nature <a natural athlete>

8

a : occurring in conformity with the ordinary course of nature : not marvelous or supernatural <natural causes>

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 (as kindliness and affection) of human nature <a noble … brother … ever most kind and natural — 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

c : having a form or appearance found in nature

14

a : having neither flats nor sharps <the natural scale of C major>

b : being neither sharp nor flat

c : having the pitch modified by the natural sign

15

: of an off-white or beige color

— nat·u·ral·ness \-nəs\ noun

Examples of NATURAL

1. furniture made of natural materials
2. The river forms a natural boundary between the two countries.
3. natural foods like whole grain bread and fresh vegetables
4. Gray hair is one of the natural consequences of getting older.
5. a natural increase in the population
6. the natural course of the disease
7. It's perfectly natural to feel nervous before a test.

Origin of NATURAL

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to NATURAL

Synonyms

born, congenital

Antonyms

nonnatural

Related Words

chronic, confirmed, habitual, incorrigible, ingrained (also engrained), inveterate, proper, regular, unreconstructed, unregenerate; constitutional, consummate; elemental, elementary, essential; connate, hereditary, inborn, inherent, innate, intimate, intrinsic, native; instinctual, intuitive

Near Antonyms

cultivated, developed, trained; alien, foreign, unnatural

Synonym Discussion of 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>.

²natural

noun

Definition of NATURAL

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; specifically : 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

Examples of NATURAL

1. <European explorers had a tendency to view the nonwhite peoples they encountered as uncivilized naturals.>

First Known Use of NATURAL

1533

Related to NATURAL

Synonyms

airhead, birdbrain, blockhead, bonehead, bubblehead, chowderhead, chucklehead, clodpoll (or clodpole), clot [British], cluck, clunk, cretin, cuddy (or cuddie) [British dialect], deadhead, dim bulb [slang], dimwit, dip, dodo, dolt, donkey, doofus [slang], dope, dork [slang], dullard, dumbbell, dumbhead, dum-dum, dummkopf, dummy, dunce, dunderhead, fathead, gander, golem, goof, goon, half-wit, hammerhead, hardhead, ignoramus, imbecile, jackass, know-nothing, knucklehead, lamebrain, loggerhead [chiefly dialect], loon, lump, lunkhead, meathead, mome [archaic], moron, mug [chiefly British], mutt, idiot, nimrod [slang], nincompoop, ninny, ninnyhammer, nit [chiefly British], nitwit, noddy, noodle, numskull (or numbskull), oaf, pinhead, prat [British], ratbag [chiefly Australian], saphead, schlub (also shlub) [slang], schnook [slang], simpleton, stock, stupe, stupid, thickhead, turkey, woodenhead, yahoo, yo-yo

Antonyms

brain, genius

Related Words

booby, buffoon, fool, goose, loony, lunatic, madman, nut, zany; loser; gawk; featherbrain, scatterbrain; beast, boor, cad, churl, clown, creep, cur, heel, jerk, skunk, snake, stinker, villain; bimbette [slang], bimbo [slang], himbo

Near Antonyms

egghead, intellect, intellectual, sage, thinker, whiz, wizard; polymath, Renaissance man; sharpie (or sharpy)

nat·u·ral

adjective \ˈnach-(ə-)rəl\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of NATURAL

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