natural

adjective

Save Word

nat·u·ral | \ ˈna-chə-rəl

, ˈnach-rəl \

Definition of natural

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

2a : being in accordance with or determined by nature natural impulses

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

3a(1) : begotten as distinguished from adopted their natural son 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 natural observations

7 : having a specified character by nature a natural athlete a natural leader

8a : 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 natural— William Shakespeare

10a : 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

11a : 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

12a : 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

13a : 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

14a : 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

natural

noun

Definition of natural (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : one born without the usual powers of reason and understanding

2a : 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

b : blackjack sense 1b

4a : 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

Other Words from natural Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about natural

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for natural

Synonyms: Adjective

born,
congenital

Synonyms: Noun

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,
dum-dum,
dumbbell,
dumbhead,
dummkopf,
dummy,
dunce,
dunderhead,
fathead,
gander,
golem,
goof,
goon,
half-wit,
hammerhead,
hardhead,
idiot,
ignoramus,
imbecile,
jackass,
know-nothing,
knucklehead,
lamebrain,
loggerhead
[chiefly dialect],
loon,
lump,
lunkhead,
meathead,
mome
[archaic],
moron,
mug
[chiefly British],
mutt,
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: Adjective

nonnatural

Antonyms: Noun

brain,
genius

Choose the Right Synonym for natural

Adjective

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 For Gaetz, a prominent Trump acolyte with virtually no legislative accomplishments, right-wing cable TV would be a natural fit. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "Matt Gaetz’s Trumpian Defense Against Allegations of Sex Trafficking," 31 Mar. 2021 The growing social/live group audio category strikes me as a natural fit with live sporting events, and Locker Room has done enough things of late to keep me curious as an observer. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, "Spotify Has Its Own Clubhouse Now," 30 Mar. 2021 Kazee and Dallas are a natural fit, considering his ties to Quinn, who coached Kazee the past four seasons in Atlanta. — Dallas News, "Cowboys, former Falcons S Damontae Kazee agree to terms on one-year deal," 25 Mar. 2021 The basics of self-sufficiency — in a natural disaster or after a layoff — overlapped with tamer-sounding trends such as homesteading, crafting and gardening. — Eric Dexheimer, San Antonio Express-News, "Can Texas leaders learn anything from preppers?," 22 Mar. 2021 Australia declared a natural disaster after once-in-a-century rains forced thousands to evacuate. — CNN, "Start your week smart: Covid-19, President Biden, Australian flooding, Puppy Day," 21 Mar. 2021 Political outrage seems to be the new rule in the aftermath of a natural disaster. — Wayne Christian, WSJ, "Texas’ Blackouts Blew In on the Wind," 19 Mar. 2021 The specter of that natural disaster still hovers over the city, particularly when other calamities also are mismanaged. — Rigoberto González, Los Angeles Times, "Review: Mexico City through the eyes of its leading novelist flaneur," 18 Mar. 2021 The characters are doomed not by cultural hegemony but natural disaster and the depraved indifference of the state. — Justin Taylor, Harper's Magazine, "Every True Pleasure Is a Secret," 16 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun His mother, a kindergarten teacher, saw him as a natural for the job. — Anthony Lonetree, Star Tribune, "Advocates renew push for funding, recruiting teachers of color in Minnesota," 2 Mar. 2021 Collaborating with the award-winning Reynolds, who was recently named the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, seems like a natural. — Kaitlyn Greenidge, New York Times, "Can You Dismantle White Supremacy With Words?," 6 Mar. 2020 The first two are naturals; the third is a stretch. — Mike Sutter, ExpressNews.com, "52 Weeks of Pizza: Pizza restaurant Trilogy Pizza & Wine Bistro’s deep dish does Chicago proud in San Antonio," 5 June 2020 As with cooking, there are some who are naturals at dishwashing and others who, um, need a little help. — Los Angeles Times, "The best last-minute Mother’s Day gift? Do the dishes (and do them well)," 9 May 2020 From locks to weaves, to braids, wigs, naturals and blowouts, for some black women hair is a form of expression and cultural identity. — Kyla Smith, Detroit Free Press, "Black hairstylists in metro Detroit and their clients prepare for a new normal," 17 May 2020 The naturals, of course, aren’t tied to a 9-foot leader and however many feet of PVC fly line. — Morgan Lyle, Field & Stream, "10 Things to Know Before Your First Season of Flyfishing," 11 May 2020 Steam treatments are popular among naturals, and for good reason. — Bianca Lambert, SELF, "How to Prevent Hair Breakage and Keep Your Natural Hair Moisturized When You Can’t Go to Your Stylist," 27 Apr. 2020 They, too, were called, looking like naturals and clearly having been put through something similar before. — SI.com, "Watch: De Ligt, Buffon, Rabiot, Higuain Sing Initiation Songs for Juventus Teammates," 24 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'natural.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.