- Main Entry:
- 1nat·u·ral
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈna-chə-rəl, ˈnach-rəl\
- Function:
- adjective
- Etymology:
- Middle English, from Anglo-French naturel, from Latin naturalis of nature, from natura nature
- Date:
- 14th century
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 nature3 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 research7: 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 food11 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 society12 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 nature14 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 sign15: of an off-white or beige color
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nat·u·ral·ness \-nəs\ noun synonyms 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
