natural

1 of 2

adjective

nat·​u·​ral ˈna-ch(ə-)rəl 

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 natural …

—William 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

ˈna-ch(ə-)rəl-nəs 

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

b

: blackjack sense 1b

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• realistic
• naturalistic
• naturalist
• lifelike

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

But their back-and-forth reveals a natural chemistry between the two writers. —Megan McCluskey, Time, 27 June 2025

Plums make their presence known along roadsides and in natural areas in spring when fragrant white blooms cover their bare branches. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 June 2025

Noun

But at 6-foot-1, 285 pounds, the younger Cross looks like a natural on the defensive line. —Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025

Ballesteros looks like a natural as a hitter, reaching Triple-A before his 21st birthday. —Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

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

Phrases Containing natural

• all-natural
• a natural death
• born/natural leader
• natural born
• natural bridge
• natural childbirth
• natural disaster
• natural family planning
• natural food
• natural gas
• natural gender
• natural history
• natural killer cell
• natural law
• natural light
• natural logarithm
• natural number
• natural philosophy
• natural resource
• natural science
• natural selection
• natural theology
• natural wastage
• of/from natural causes
• only natural
• the natural world

Rhymes for natural

• preternatural
• supernatural
• unnatural

Kids Definition

natural

1 of 2 adjective

nat·​u·​ral ˈnach-(ə-)rəl 

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 

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