Natural Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2025)

1 natural

/ˈnætʃərəl/

adjective

1 natural

/ˈnætʃərəl/

adjective

Britannica Dictionary definition of NATURAL

1

a

:

existing in nature and not made or caused by people

:

coming from nature

  • natural silk

  • furniture made of natural materials

  • The river forms a natural boundary between the two countries.

  • That's not his natural hair color. [=he dyes his hair]

  • a natural lake [=a lake that is not man-made]

  • She prefers to use natural light [=light from the sun] when taking photographs.

  • a country rich in natural resources [=a country that has many valuable plants, animals, minerals, etc.]

  • learning more about the natural world [=animals, plants, etc.]

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b

:

not having any extra substances or chemicals added

:

not containing anything artificial

  • natural soap/yogurt

  • natural foods like whole grain bread and fresh vegetables

  • Our bakery uses all-natural ingredients. [=ingredients that are from nature and not artificial]

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2

[more natural; most natural]

:

usual or expected

:

normal

  • 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/only natural to feel nervous before a test.

  • He died of natural causes. [=he died because he was ill or old and not by being killed in an accident, battle, etc.]

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see also natural childbirth

3

always used before a noun

used to describe a quality, ability, etc., that a person or animal is born with and does not have to learn

  • The science class will encourage his natural curiosity.

  • She has a natural talent for art.

  • He has a natural ability to make people feel comfortable.

  • She's a natural athlete/leader. [=she has natural abilities that make her a good athlete/leader]

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4

[more natural; most natural]

◊ To be/act/look natural is to be normal and relaxed in the way you behave and look.

  • I'm going to take your picture but don't pose—look natural.

  • Try to be/act natural.

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5

always used before a noun

a

:

related by blood

  • his natural mother [=the woman who gave birth to him]

  • She was adopted immediately after she was born and never knew her natural [=(more commonly) birth] parents.

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b

old-fashioned

:

born to parents who are not married to each other

:

illegitimate

  • a natural son/daughter

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6

of a choice, decision, etc.

:

logical and reasonable

  • We considered our options, and this car was the natural choice. [=the choice that made the most sense]

  • He is the natural choice to succeed his father as company president.

  • They made the natural decision to keep trying.

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7

always used before a noun,

formal

:

based on a sense of what is right and wrong

  • natural justice/law

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8

music

:

neither sharp nor flat

  • B natural

  • F natural

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— naturalness

/ˈnætʃərəlnəs/

noun

[noncount]

  • his naturalness as an actor

  • the naturalness of his acting

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2 natural

/ˈnætʃərəl/

noun

plural

naturals

2 natural

/ˈnætʃərəl/

noun

plural

naturals

Britannica Dictionary definition of NATURAL

[count]

1

a

:

someone who is good at doing something from the first time it is done

:

someone who has a natural ability to do something

usually singular

  • She loved rock climbing from the start. She's a natural.

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often + at

  • He's a natural at (playing) the piano.

  • a natural at golf

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b

:

someone or something that is suited for a particular job, purpose, etc.

usually singular

usually + for

  • He is a natural for the job.

  • The bread's texture makes it a natural for eating with stew.

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2

a

:

a musical note that is neither sharp nor flat

b

:

a written symbol ♮ that is placed before a musical note to show that it is neither sharp nor flat

Natural Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2025)
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