natural (naturals plural )
1 adj If you say that it is natural 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.
oft it v-link ADJ to-inf/that
(=normal) (Antonym: unnatural, unusual)
It is only natural for youngsters to crave the excitement of driving a fast car..., A period of depression can be a perfectly natural response to certain aspects of life.
2 adj Natural behaviour is shared by all people or all animals of a particular type and has not been learned.
...the insect's natural instinct to feed..., Anger is the natural reaction we experience when we feel threatened or frustrated.
3 adj Someone with a natural ability or skill was born with that ability and did not have to learn it.
usu ADJ n
(=instinctive)
She has a natural ability to understand the motives of others..., He had a natural flair for business.
4 n-count If you say that someone is anatural, you mean that they do something very well and very easily.
usu a N in sing
He's a natural with any kind of engine..., She proved to be a natural on camera.
5 adj If someone's behaviour is natural, they appear to be relaxed and are not trying to hide anything., (Antonym: forced)
Bethan's sister was as friendly and natural as the rest of the family...
naturally adv ADV after v
For pictures of people behaving naturally, not posing for the camera, it is essential to shoot unnoticed..., She is magnificent at making you feel you can talk quite naturally to her.
naturalness n-uncount
The critics praised the reality of the scenery and the naturalness of the acting.
6 adj Natural things exist or occur in nature and are not made or caused by people.
ADJ n (Antonym: artificial, man-made)
It has called the typhoon the worst natural disaster in South Korea in many years..., The gigantic natural harbour of Poole is a haven for boats.
naturally adv ADV with v, ADV adj
Nitrates are chemicals that occur naturally in water and the soil...
7 If someone dies of or fromnatural causes, they die because they are ill or old rather than because of an accident or violence.
natural causes phrase usu prep PHR According to the Home Office, your brother died of natural causes...
natural childbirth
If a woman gives birth by natural childbirth, she is not given any drugs to relieve her pain or to send her to sleep. n-uncount
natural gas
Natural gas is gas which is found underground or under the sea. It is collected and stored, and piped into people's homes to be used for cooking and heating. n-uncount
natural history
Natural history is the study of animals and plants and other living things. n-uncount usu N n
Schools regularly bring children to the beach for natural history lessons.
natural resources
Natural resources are all the land, forests, energy sources and minerals existing naturally in a place that can be used by people. n-plural
Angola was a country rich in natural resources...
natural selection
Natural selection is a process by which species of animals and plants that are best adapted to their environment survive and reproduce, while those that are less well adapted die out. n-uncount
Natural selection ensures only the fittest survive to pass their genes on to the next generation.
natural wastage
Natural wastage is the process of employees leaving their jobs because they want to retire or move to other jobs, rather than because their employer makes them leave.
(mainly BRIT, BUSINESS) n-uncount
The company hopes the job cuts will be made through natural wastage and voluntary redundancy.
in AM, usually use attrition
