First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1natural
adjective nat·u·ral \ˈna-chə-rəl, ˈnach-rəl\
: existing in nature and not made or caused by people : coming from nature
: not having any extra substances or chemicals added : not containing anything artificial
: usual or expected
Full 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
See natural defined for English-language learners
See natural defined for kids
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Origin of NATURAL
Middle English, from Anglo-French naturel, from Latin naturalis of nature, from natura nature
Related to NATURAL
- Synonyms
- born, congenital
- Antonyms
- nonnatural
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>.
synonyms see in addition regular
2natural
noun
: someone who is good at doing something from the first time it is done : someone who has a natural ability to do something
: someone or something that is suited for a particular job, purpose, etc.
: a musical note that is neither sharp nor flat
Full 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
See natural defined for English-language learners
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
NATURAL Defined for Kids
natural
adjective nat·u·ral \ˈna-chə-rəl, ˈnach-rəl\
Definition of NATURAL for Kids
1
: found in or produced by nature <That's her natural hair color.> <a natural lake>
2
: being or acting as expected : normal <a natural reaction>
3
: present or existing at birth : born in a person or animal <natural instincts> <natural curiosity>
4
: having qualities or skills without training or effort <She's a natural jumper.>
5
: occurring in the normal course of life <He died of natural causes.>
6
: being simple and sincere <In spite of himself, M. C. warmed to Jones's easy and natural kindness … — Virginia Hamilton, M. C. Higgins>
7
: lifelike <The photo is very natural.>
8
: not raised or lowered in musical pitch using a sharp or flat
Medical Dictionary
natural
adjective nat·u·ral \ˈnach-(ə-)rəl\
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
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