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
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
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
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
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
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
Peter Follows, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
To achieve that old-world feel, Leigh and Hahn chose to mix rich hues with warm white oak and bold natural stones to lend an earthy and organic vibe.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2024
Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024
When Longoria auditioned, she was mainly known for her stint on The Young and the Restless (2001–2003) and turned out to be a natural for the part.
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for natural 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Adjective
Not unlike managers, employees often have their own natural apprehensions and concerns.
—Peter Follows, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
To achieve that old-world feel, Leigh and Hahn chose to mix rich hues with warm white oak and bold natural stones to lend an earthy and organic vibe.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
As teens, the two flaxen-haired boys were naturals at making funny and engaging Vines, the six-second video app that was a precursor to TikTok.
—Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024
When Longoria auditioned, she was mainly known for her stint on The Young and the Restless (2001–2003) and turned out to be a natural for the part.
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for natural
Dictionary Entries Near natural
Cite this Entry
“Natural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/natural. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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 noun1
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
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