I. ˈna-chə-rəl, ˈnach-rəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French naturel, from Latin naturalis of nature, from natura nature
Date: 14th century
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
Synonyms:
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
Synonym: see in addition regular .
II. noun
Date: 1533
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