(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
If you say that it is ~ for someone to act in a particular way or for something to happen in that way, you mean that it is reasonable in the circumstances.
It is only ~ for youngsters to crave the excitement of driving a fast car...
A period of depression can be a perfectly ~ response to certain aspects of life.
= normal
? un~, unusual
ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf/that
2.
Natural behaviour is shared by all people or all animals of a particular type and has not been learned.
...the insect’s ~ instinct to feed...
Anger is the ~ reaction we experience when we feel threatened or frustrated.
ADJ
3.
Someone with a ~ ability or skill was born with that ability and did not have to learn it.
She has a ~ ability to understand the motives of others...
He had a ~ flair for business.
= instinctive
ADJ: usu ADJ n
4.
If you say that someone is a ~, you mean that they do something very well and very easily.
He’s a ~ with any kind of engine...
She proved to be a ~ on camera.
N-COUNT: usu a N in sing
5.
If someone’s behaviour is ~, they appear to be relaxed and are not trying to hide anything.
Bethan’s sister was as friendly and ~ as the rest of the family...
? forced
ADJ
~ly
For pictures of people behaving ~ly, not posing for the camera, it is essential to shoot unnoticed...
She is magnificent at making you feel you can talk quite ~ly to her.
ADV: ADV after v
~ness
The critics praised the reality of the scenery and the ~ness of the acting.
N-UNCOUNT
6.
Natural things exist or occur in nature and are not made or caused by people.
It has called the typhoon the worst ~ disaster in South Korea in many years...
The gigantic ~ harbour of Poole is a haven for boats.
? artificial, man-made
ADJ: ADJ n
~ly
Nitrates are chemicals that occur ~ly in water and the soil...
ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj
7.
If someone dies of or from ~ causes, they die because they are ill or old rather than because of an accident or violence.
According to the Home Office, your brother died of ~ causes...
PHRASE: usu prep PHR