Adjective A2 — Elementary

Natural

/ˈnætʃrəl/

Quick Definition

Existing in or produced by nature, not made or changed by humans. "We used only natural ingredients." Also: normal or expected. "It's natural to feel nervous before an exam."

Meaning and Usage

Natural is a versatile A2 adjective with two core meanings. The first relates to nature — things that exist or occur without human involvement, like natural light, natural materials, and natural disasters. The second meaning relates to what is normal, expected, or instinctive in a person or situation.

The adverb form is naturally, which means "in a natural way" or "of course" (used to introduce an obvious consequence). The related noun is nature.

Example sentences: "The soap is made from natural oils." / "She has a natural talent for music." / "Naturally, we were disappointed by the result."

Natural in Use

ContextExample sentenceMeaning
EnvironmentThe valley is full of natural beauty.from nature
TalentHe's a natural communicator.instinctive ability
ReactionIt's natural to miss your home country.normal / expected

Common Mistakes

Mistakes to Avoid

She speaks English very natural.

She speaks English very naturally. (use the adverb 'naturally' to modify a verb)

Natural foods are more healthy than artificials.

Natural foods are healthier than artificial ones. ('artificial' is an adjective — use 'ones' after it, not '-s')

It is natural that he don't understand.

It is natural that he doesn't understand. (use third-person singular: 'doesn't')

Related Words

nature normal organic wild artificial All Words →

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Frequently Asked Questions about "Natural"

What does natural mean in English?
Natural has two main meanings: (1) existing in nature, not made by humans: "The park protects the natural environment"; (2) normal, expected, or not forced: "It's natural to feel nervous before an exam." The adverb form is "naturally" and the noun is "nature".
What is the difference between natural and artificial?
Natural means produced by nature without human interference: "natural light", "natural fibres". Artificial means made by humans, often as an imitation: "artificial light", "artificial sweeteners". The two words are antonyms (opposites).
What is the CEFR level of natural?
Natural is an A2 (Elementary) level word. It is one of the most common adjectives in English and appears in everyday conversation, advertising, science, and academic writing.
How do you pronounce natural?
Natural is pronounced /ˈnætʃrəl/. The stress is on the first syllable: NAT-chrul. The middle syllable is often reduced in natural speech, so it sounds like two syllables: NAT-chrul. The adverb "naturally" is /ˈnætʃrəli/.
What are common collocations with natural?
Common collocations: natural world, natural environment, natural resources, natural disaster, natural light, natural talent, natural ability, natural reaction, natural gas, natural ingredients, feel natural, come naturally to someone. Example: "Learning languages seems to come naturally to her."
What does 'it comes naturally' mean?
"It comes naturally to someone" means that a skill or ability feels easy or instinctive for that person, without effort. Example: "Acting comes naturally to her." "Cooking doesn't come naturally to me; I have to follow recipes."
What are synonyms for natural?
Synonyms for natural (from nature): organic, pure, wild, untouched, unprocessed. Synonyms for natural (normal/expected): normal, expected, instinctive, innate, inherent, spontaneous. Antonyms: artificial, synthetic, unnatural, forced, affected.
What is the difference between natural and organic?
"Natural" means coming from nature. "Organic" specifically refers to food or farming that avoids synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, and is a legal certification label in many countries. A "natural" product may still be processed, unlike a certified organic one.
What common mistakes do learners make with natural?
Common mistakes: confusing "natural" (adjective) and "naturally" (adverb) — "She speaks English natural" should be "She speaks English naturally"; and overusing "natural" when "normal" or "expected" would be more precise.
How can I practise the word natural?
Use LexFizz's Flash Cards to learn collocations like "natural talent" and "natural resources", then try the Quiz. Practise using "naturally" (adverb) in sentences to distinguish it from the adjective "natural". Try describing things around you as natural or artificial.