natural

1 adjective

1 NORMAL normal and what you would expect in a particular situation or at a particular time: Don't worry - it's a perfectly natural reaction. | it's only natural spoken: It's only natural to be afraid sometimes. | it is natural for sb to do sth: It's not natural for a child of his age to be so quiet.

—opposite unnatural (1), abnormal

2 NOT ARTIFICIAL not caused, made, or controlled by human beings: an area of spectacular natural beauty | natural disasters | death from natural causes

—compare artificial, man­made

3 TENDENCY/ABILITY

a) a natural tendency or type of behaviour is part of your character when you are born, rather than one that you learn later; innate: Cats have a natural aversion to water.

b) (only before noun) having a particular quality or skill without needing to be taught and without needing to try hard: a natural musician | Cheryl has a natural elegance about her.

4 NOT PRETENDING behaving in a way that is normal and shows you are relaxed and not trying to pretend: Try to look natural for your photograph.

5 natural parent/mother etc the parent from whom a child is born: John was adopted; he never knew his natural parents.

6 NOT MAGIC not connected with gods, fairies, or spirits: I'm sure there's a perfectly natural explanation.

—opposite supernatural 1

7 FOOD with nothing added to change the taste: natural yoghurt

8 a musical note that is natural has been raised from a flat 2 (3) by one semitone or lowered from a sharp 3 (1) by one semitone

9 natural child/son/daughter old use a child whose parents are not married

— naturalness noun (U) 2 noun (C)

1 be a natural to be good at doing something without having to try hard or practise: Look how he swings that bat - he's a natural.

2

a) a musical note that has been changed from a flat 2 (3) to be a semitone higher, or from a sharp 3 (1) to be a semitone lower

b) the sign () in written music that shows this