natural
1 of 2adjective
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(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
: born to parents not married to each other
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
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
William Shakespeare10
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
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 2noun
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
- born
- congenital
Noun
- airhead
- birdbrain
- blockhead
- bonehead
- bubblehead
- chowderhead
- chucklehead
- clodpoll
- clodpole
- clot [British]
- cluck
- clunk
- cretin
- cuddy [British dialect]
- cuddie
- 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
- numbskull
- oaf
- pinhead
- prat [British]
- ratbag [chiefly Australian]
- saphead
- schlub [slang]
- shlub
- schnook [slang]
- simpleton
- stock
- stupe
- stupid
- thickhead
- turkey
- woodenhead
- yahoo
- yo-yo
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 Designed with curly and natural hair in mind, this Cantu oil is deeply nourishing and repairing. April Franzino, Good Housekeeping, 16 Sep. 2022 Essex County’s annual showcase of cultural, natural, and historic sites in Salem — is back, running its 21st season until Sept. 25. Katie Mogg, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2022 Modern wastewater treatment and reclamation rely on a mix of natural and mechanical processes. Holly Mullen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 Kreidler's defensive success is a product of his pre-pitch routine and natural instincts. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 14 Sep. 2022 Having a hand in creating an image that’s authentic to him, his family and his friends — referencing time and place in a way that’s natural and real and not just for trend or clout. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022 Bags of the earthy muck are labeled organic or natural. Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 Her glam is equally timeless: The actress's hair is in a sophisticated wavy 'do held together by a large black bow to match her dress, and her makeup is bronzy and natural. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 Sep. 2022 The New Yorker, 15 May 2022 Mozart sets these words to an ascending major sixth, starting from the dominant, D natural. Matthew Aucoin, The Atlantic, 23 Nov. 2021 The intrigues played and secrets kept in Dune make this kind of game a natural for a licensed game and Dune: Betrayal fits the genre nicely. Rob Wieland, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2021 First, there’s the impeccable hot dog ($3.62), which features a snappy natural-casing Vienna Beef sausage topped with just mustard, relish, onions and sport peppers. Ariel Cheung, chicagotribune.com, 4 Aug. 2021 But with vaccination levels lagging in Black and Brown communities, the program seemed a natural to persuade those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic but are often reluctant to get shots. Anchorage Daily News, 31 May 2021 But with vaccination levels lagging in Black and Brown communities, the program seemed a natural to persuade those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic but are often reluctant to get shots. Anchorage Daily News, 31 May 2021 But with vaccination levels lagging in Black and Brown communities, the program seemed a natural to persuade those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic but are often reluctant to get shots. Anchorage Daily News, 31 May 2021 But with vaccination levels lagging in Black and Brown communities, the program seemed a natural to persuade those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic but are often reluctant to get shots. Anchorage Daily News, 31 May 2021 See More
Adjective
His precise renderings of natural and man-made stuff, on display at the Arts Club of Washington, wrench the objects from their usual surroundings and arrange them symmetrically to highlight the artist’s compositional artifice. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 Designed with curly and natural hair in mind, this Cantu oil is deeply nourishing and repairing. April Franzino, Good Housekeeping, 16 Sep. 2022 Essex County’s annual showcase of cultural, natural, and historic sites in Salem — is back, running its 21st season until Sept. 25. Katie Mogg, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2022 Modern wastewater treatment and reclamation rely on a mix of natural and mechanical processes. Holly Mullen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 Kreidler's defensive success is a product of his pre-pitch routine and natural instincts. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 14 Sep. 2022 Having a hand in creating an image that’s authentic to him, his family and his friends — referencing time and place in a way that’s natural and real and not just for trend or clout. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022 Bags of the earthy muck are labeled organic or natural. Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 Her glam is equally timeless: The actress's hair is in a sophisticated wavy 'do held together by a large black bow to match her dress, and her makeup is bronzy and natural. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 Sep. 2022 Noun
In more intimate settings, Oz can seem like a political natural. The New Yorker, 15 May 2022 Mozart sets these words to an ascending major sixth, starting from the dominant, D natural. Matthew Aucoin, The Atlantic, 23 Nov. 2021 The intrigues played and secrets kept in Dune make this kind of game a natural for a licensed game and Dune: Betrayal fits the genre nicely. Rob Wieland, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2021 First, there’s the impeccable hot dog ($3.62), which features a snappy natural-casing Vienna Beef sausage topped with just mustard, relish, onions and sport peppers. Ariel Cheung, chicagotribune.com, 4 Aug. 2021 But with vaccination levels lagging in Black and Brown communities, the program seemed a natural to persuade those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic but are often reluctant to get shots. Anchorage Daily News, 31 May 2021 But with vaccination levels lagging in Black and Brown communities, the program seemed a natural to persuade those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic but are often reluctant to get shots. Anchorage Daily News, 31 May 2021 But with vaccination levels lagging in Black and Brown communities, the program seemed a natural to persuade those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic but are often reluctant to get shots. Anchorage Daily News, 31 May 2021 But with vaccination levels lagging in Black and Brown communities, the program seemed a natural to persuade those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic but are often reluctant to get shots. Anchorage Daily News, 31 May 2021 See More 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
Kids Definition
natural
adjective
nat·u·ral ˈna-chə-rəl
ˈnach-rəl
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 the Great
Virginia Hamilton, M. C. Higgins the Great7
: lifelike
The photo is very natural.
8
: not raised or lowered in musical pitch using a sharp or flat
9
: related by blood
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
natural 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in born
being such from birth or by nature from his first visits to the wading pool, we could tell that our little boy loved water and was a natural swimmer Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- born
- congenital
- chronic
- constitutional
- native
- hereditary
- regular
- proper
- intrinsic
- innate
- inherent
- elemental
- habitual
- elementary
- ingrained
- essential
- intuitive
- inborn
- intimate
- unregenerate
- instinctual
- unreconstructed
- incorrigible
- inveterate
- confirmed
- consummate
- engrained
- connate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nonnatural
- unnatural
- foreign
- developed
- cultivated
- alien
- trained
2
as in naturalistic
closely resembling the object imitated the diorama featuring stuffed birds and plastic plants actually looked very natural Synonyms & Similar Words
- naturalistic
- living
- realistic
- lifelike
- naturalist
- vivid
- similar
- like
- compelling
- comparable
- three-dimensional
- near
- graphic
- true
- graphical
- photo-realistic
- matching
- analogous
- accurate
- convincing
- expressive
- alike
- resembling
- approximate
- faithful
- akin
- close
- verisimilar
- gritty
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unnatural
- unrealistic
- nonnatural
- unlike
- dissimilar
- different
- incomparable
- off
- unmatched
- nonrealistic
- disparate
- contrasting
- fake
- unalike
- phony
- mock
- sham
- contrasted
- phoney
3
as in biological
being such by blood and not by adoption or marriage an adult adoptee who has decided to search for his natural parents Synonyms & Similar Words
- biological
- biologic
- birth
- legitimate
- consanguineous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- adoptive
- adopted
- nonbiological
- illegitimate
4
as in intrinsic
being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing her natural talent for music first became apparent when, unbidden, she started banging on a toy piano Synonyms & Similar Words
- intrinsic
- inherent
- integral
- essential
- innate
- constitutional
- indigenous
- hereditary
- inborn
- inner
- native
- immanent
- constitutive
- fundamental
- elemental
- hardwired
- basic
- ingrained
- inherited
- inbred
- distinctive
- internal
- congenital
- characteristic
- built-in
- interior
- engrained
- ingrain
- peculiar
- in one's blood
- normal
- inmost
- deep-rooted
- typical
- habitual
- regular
- inveterate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- foreign
- extrinsic
- extraneous
- adventitious
- alien
- accidental
- incidental
- surface
- coincidental
- external
- superficial
- exterior
- adscititious
- acquired
5
as in crude
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining natural salts are not edible until they are washed and processed Synonyms & Similar Words
- crude
- native
- raw
- unprocessed
- unrefined
- untreated
- undeveloped
- undressed
- unpolished
- rude
- unfinished
- in the rough
- in the raw
- unfiltered
- uncooked
- impure
- rough-hewn
- semifinished
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- pure
- refined
- treated
- processed
- dressed
- purified
- filtered
6
as in uninhabited
existing without human habitation or cultivation photographs of animals in their natural habitat Synonyms & Similar Words
- uninhabited
- wild
- native
- undeveloped
- untamed
- virgin
- spontaneous
- uncultivated
- waste
- overgrown
- desolate
- unsettled
- unpeopled
- untended
- forlorn
- howling
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- cultivated
- inhabited
- developed
- tamed
- seminatural
7
as in genuine
free from any intent to deceive or impress others she was completely natural in expressing her feelings for him, unafraid of how they would be received Synonyms & Similar Words
- genuine
- unaffected
- simple
- true
- real
- innocent
- honest
- spontaneous
- naive
- artless
- sincere
- guileless
- ingenuous
- straightforward
- unpretentious
- inexperienced
- unpretending
- childlike
- unsophisticated
- naïve
- unworldly
- candid
- unforced
- direct
- unstudied
- plain
- malleable
- trustful
- trusting
- impressionable
- on the level
- open
- persuasible
- free
- frank
- persuadable
- straight
- unguarded
- openhearted
- exploitable
- plainspoken
- wide-eyed
- gee-whiz
- susceptible
- simpleminded
- gullible
- dewy-eyed
- free-spoken
- single-minded
- unwary
- gullable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- artificial
- critical
- false
- assuming
- artful
- fake
- affected
- sophisticated
- phony
- dishonest
- suspicious
- worldly
- skeptical
- pretentious
- insincere
- cynical
- phoney
- wary
- cosmopolitan
- civilized
- cultured
- polished
- mistrustful
- refined
- subtle
- deceptive
- cultivated
- guileful
- smooth
- manipulative
- hypocritical
- dissembling
- deceitful
- crooked
- dissimulating
- cunning
- sharp
- slippery
- devious
- shrewd
- crafty
- slick
- tricky
- wily
- designing
- sly
- foxy
- arch
- flattering
- underhanded
- shifty
- worldly-wise
- unctuous
- calculating
- scheming
- strained
- sycophantic
- feigned
- forced
- canny
- two-faced
- knavish
- double-dealing
- mealymouthed
8
as in human
relating to or characteristic of human beings it's only natural to make mistakes—it's part of being human Synonyms & Similar Words
- human
- mortal
- humanoid
- hominid
- humanlike
- anthropoid
- earthborn
- creatural
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- divine
- nonhuman
- supernatural
- angelic
- godlike
- superhuman
- animal
- preternatural
- immortal
- supernormal
- angelical
- omnipotent
- bestial
- brute
- omniscient
- inhuman
- robotic
- beastly
- subhuman
- infrahuman
9
as in illegitimate
born to a father and mother who are not married had fathered an unknown number of natural children Synonyms & Similar Words
- illegitimate
- supposititious
- misbegotten
- bastard
- spurious
- unfathered
- motherless
- baseborn
- fatherless
- adopted
- orphaned
- nameless
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- legitimate
10
as in great
having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature his late grandfather was as kind and natural a man as one could ever hope to meet Synonyms & Similar Words
- great
- noble
- sublime
- high
- honorable
- gallant
- magnanimous
- big
- chivalrous
- lofty
- elevated
- heroic
- heroical
- worthy
- high-minded
- regal
- magnificent
- lordly
- greathearted
- exalted
- majestic
- numinous
- venerable
- uplifting
- inspiring
- ennobled
- valiant
- moving
- glorified
- princely
- knightly
- august
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- low
- base
- ignoble
- degenerate
- degraded
- vile
- ugly
- repulsive
- sordid
- offensive
- wretched
- debased
- little
- abominable
- vicious
- contemptible
- detestable
- squalid
- despicable
- lousy
- dirty
- hateful
- narrow
- dastardly
- coarse
- crude
- mean
- degrading
- sorry
- vulgar
- ignominious
- humiliating
- discreditable
- small-minded
11
as in barbarian
not civilized a natural man, unacquainted with the blessings and burdens of society Synonyms & Similar Words
- barbarian
- wild
- primitive
- savage
- rude
- barbaric
- uncivilized
- barbarous
- uncultivated
- heathenish
- uncivil
- heathen
- coarse
- crude
- Neanderthal
- rough
- Neandertal
- uncultured
- uncouth
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- civilized
- sophisticated
- humane
- cultured
- enlightened
- polished
- refined
- polite
- genteel
- urbane
- well-bred
- semicivilized
natural
2 of 2noun
as in idiot
a stupid person a character depicted as a natural in the novel as indicated by his unsophisticated speech habits Synonyms & Similar Words
- idiot
- moron
- stupid
- lunatic
- dummy
- goose
- loser
- turkey
- fool
- dip
- stupe
- prat
- stock
- donkey
- mutt
- thickhead
- dumb cluck
- imbecile
- ignoramus
- bonehead
- golem
- goof
- woodenhead
- cuddie
- dope
- clodpole
- dullard
- airhead
- hardhead
- noodle
- dimwit
- lump
- dunderhead
- lunkhead
- simpleton
- mome
- hammerhead
- dumbbell
- clodpoll
- blockhead
- loggerhead
- jerk
- ninny
- dolt
- pinhead
- saphead
- knucklehead
- dumbhead
- yahoo
- villain
- loon
- doofus
- gander
- dork
- dim bulb
- lamebrain
- snake
- clown
- cretin
- numskull
- clot
- jackass
- cuddy
- clunk
- ninnyhammer
- cluck
- numbskull
- dunce
- know-nothing
- noddy
- meathead
- schnook
- nincompoop
- deadhead
- zany
- dodo
- goon
- nit
- bubblehead
- chowderhead
- loony
- booby
- birdbrain
- skunk
- schlub
- oaf
- shlub
- nimrod
- yo-yo
- ratbag
- nitwit
- dum-dum
- nut
- fathead
- dummkopf
- chucklehead
- buffoon
- creep
- half-wit
- madman
- beast
- gawk
- mug
- heel
- scatterbrain
- featherbrain
- cur
- cad
- boor
- stinker
- churl
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- brain
- genius
- intellectual
- intellect
- sage
- thinker
- wizard
- whiz
- polymath
- Renaissance man
- sharpie
- sharpy
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of natural are normal, regular, and typical. While all these words mean "being of the sort or kind that is expected as usual, ordinary, or average," natural applies to what conforms to a thing's essential nature, function, or mode of being.
the natural love of a mother for her child
Although the words normal and natural have much in common, normal implies lack of deviation from what has been discovered or established as the most usual or expected.
normal behavior for a two-year-old
The words regular and natural can be used in similar contexts, but regular stresses conformity to a rule, standard, or pattern.
the club's regular monthly meeting
In some situations, the words typical and natural are roughly equivalent. However, typical implies showing all important traits of a type, class, or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality.
a typical small town