rhizoverbBeta
DictionarynaturalFrom nature
adjective / noun

natural

NATCH-ruhl/ˈnætʃrəl/

Existing or arising by nature rather than human alteration.

The young tree grows in a natural crack beside the wild spring.

A young green tree has sprouted by itself from a narrow crack in a weathered gray boulder beside a small wild spring. Exposed fine roots follow the rock fissure into soil, with moss and uneven grasses; the water emerges between natural rocks. Sparse scene with no pot, tools, masonry or human landscaping.
Etymology
naturLatinnature; birth
+alLatinrelating to

Natura, literally “birth,” also meant the character and course of things. Natural came to describe what belongs to or results from nature, rather than what people artificially make.

In context

TEDx Talks13:09
natural or synthetic they're all just molecules that happen to fit snugly somewhere important but nature is much better and making them than we are
Do not be afraid of organic chemistry. | Jakob Magolan | TEDxUIdaho

More examples

  • She's a natural at teaching young children.
  • His smile looks natural, even when he poses for photos.
  • The adopted child later meets her natural mother.

Forms

natural · naturals · more natural · most natural

nature noun — The physical world apart from human creations.

naturally adverb — Through nature rather than human intervention.

Similar words

unprocessed
Specifically describes materials not altered by processing or manufacturing.
untouched
Emphasizes absence of human disturbance, not simply natural origin.