Meaning & use
natural
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Found in nature or made by nature, not made or changed by people.
Grammar: Often before a noun: natural resources. Also after a verb: the color is natural.
Patterns
- natural resources
- natural to something
The lake is a natural wonder in the region.
This soap contains only natural ingredients.
Oil and gas are natural resources.
adjectivecomparable
Normal and expected, so that it causes no surprise.
Grammar: Often with it: it is natural to feel nervous.
Patterns
- it is natural to do something
- it is natural that something happens
It's natural to feel nervous before an exam.
Her anger was a natural reaction to the news.
He gave a natural explanation for the noise.
adjectivecomparable
Relaxed and sincere, without pretending or trying too hard.
Grammar: Describes manner or style: a natural smile.
Patterns
- sound natural
- look natural
She has a warm, natural way of talking to children.
The dialogue in the film sounds natural.
Try to look natural for the photo.
adjectivebefore a noun
Having a talent or skill from birth, without needing to learn it.
Grammar: Comes before a noun: a natural athlete.
Patterns
- a natural at something
He is a natural leader.
She's a natural on the piano.
Swimming came natural to him.
Word forms
| comparative | more natural |
|---|---|
| superlative | most natural |
Common combinations
- natural resources
- The country is rich in natural resources.
- natural disaster
- Floods are a common natural disaster.
- natural light
- The room gets plenty of natural light.
- natural talent
- She has a natural talent for languages.
- natural causes
- The doctor said he died of natural causes.
- perfectly natural
- It is perfectly natural to be upset.
Synonyms and how they differ
- organic
- Applies to food or farming without artificial chemicals, narrower than natural.
- innate
- Describes qualities you are born with, and is more formal.
- normal
- Means usual or typical, without any link to nature.
- genuine
- Stresses sincerity, not lack of effort or artificial additions.
Opposites
Word family
- naturally adverb
- of course, or in a natural way
- nature noun
- the physical world, or the basic character of something
- naturalist noun
- a person who studies plants and animals
- unnatural adjective
- not normal or not sincere
Commonly confused: natural or organic?
natural vs organic
Organic refers to farming or products without synthetic chemicals; natural is much broader and has no legal meaning on many labels.
Practice
Which sentence uses natural to mean a talent someone was born with?
Choose one answer.
Only the third sentence says someone has an inborn skill. The others mean found in nature or expected.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “natural”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.