WordGarden.iounnatural
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌnnˈætʃərəl/
US
- /ənˈnætʃərəl/
Meanings
Adjective
strange, abnormal, or not as things ordinarily are
artificial, simulated, or not occurring naturally
forced, affected, or lacking natural ease in expression, movement, or behavior
More meaningsFewer meanings
morally wrong, perverse, or against ordinary human feeling
Beyond the definition
Something unnatural goes against what is usually found in nature or what people see as normal. A plastic flower can seem unnatural because it is man-made, and a sudden, cold smile at a sad moment might feel unnatural too. The word often suggests that something feels off, forced, or out of place.
It often carries a slightly negative feeling, as if something is wrong or unsettling. A detective might describe the position of a body as "unnatural," suggesting that something bad happened. You might also say a person's overly polished speech feels unnatural and insincere. In each case, the idea is that something does not fit the natural or expected way things usually are.
The word unnatural describes something that is not normal, not expected, or not in harmony with nature or ordinary human behavior. It often suggests that something feels artificial, forced, or disturbing rather than easy, real, or natural.
It can refer to physical things, actions, or even feelings. Food with bright chemical coloring might look unnatural. A stiff laugh in a serious moment can sound unnatural. A body twisted into a strange position after an accident may be called unnatural. In these cases, the word does more than mean "not natural." It points to something that seems wrong, unusual, or against the way things normally happen.
The meaning depends on context. In science or everyday life, it may describe something synthetic or man-made, such as unnatural ingredients or unnatural light. When talking about people, it can describe behavior, expressions, or relationships that seem forced or deeply wrong. In stories, the word often adds a darker tone. An unnatural silence, an unnatural coldness in the air, or an unnatural creature can make a scene feel eerie or threatening.
Historically, the word has also been used in moral or social judgment, sometimes to condemn behavior seen as taboo or against tradition. That use still appears, but today the word is more commonly used for things that seem artificial, strange, or out of place. So if something strikes you as oddly fake, disturbingly wrong, or unlike how life normally looks or feels, unnatural is often the word people choose.
Examples
- 1
Injury
His arm was bent at an unnatural angle after the fall.
- 2
Awkward reaction
She gave a quick, unnatural laugh and changed the subject.
- 3
Dialogue
The dialogue in the movie sounded unnatural to me.
- Patternsound unnatural
not sound like real or normal speech
- 4
Social discomfort
It felt unnatural to call my boss by his first name.
- Patternfeel unnatural to do X
not feel normal or comfortable
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Tense atmosphere
There was an unnatural silence in the house after the argument.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- unnatural light
- unnatural behavior
- unnatural position
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- unnaturaladjective