natural
adjectiveDefinition of natural
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: based on an inherent sense of right and wrong
natural justice
2a
: being in accordance with or determined by nature
natural impulses
b
: having or constituting a classification based on features existing in nature
3a(1)
: begotten as distinguished from adopted
their natural son
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
natural observations
7
: having a specified character by nature
a natural athlete a natural leader
8a
: 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
10a
: 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
11a
: 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
12a
: 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
13a
: 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
c
: having a form or appearance found in nature
natural hair
14a
: 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