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adjective B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

unnatural

uhn-NACH-ruhl

Unnatural (adjective) means not occurring naturally, or not in keeping with what is normal or expected. Example: “There was something unnatural about the stillness of the forest that morning.”

adjective
1
Not occurring naturally, or not in keeping with what is normal or expected.
"There was something unnatural about the stillness of the forest that morning."
"Critics called the actor's accent stiff and unnatural."
2
Going against accepted moral or natural standards; perverse.
"The villagers whispered that the killings were the work of something unnatural."

How to use unnatural

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNot the way things normally are, or not the way nature intended.

Common pairings
unnatural silence unnatural causes seem unnatural

Word forms

more unnatural comparative, unnaturals plural, most unnatural superlative

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Test yourself on “unnatural” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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There was something _____ about the stillness of the forest that morning.

Etymology

From Middle English unnatural, built from un- + natural.

Origin: Middle English

Related words

Rhymes for unnatural

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Frequently asked questions

What does “unnatural” mean?

The word “unnatural” means not occurring naturally, or not in keeping with what is normal or expected. In plain terms, not the way things normally are, or not the way nature intended.

How do you pronounce “unnatural”?

“Unnatural” is pronounced uhn-NACH-ruhl (/ʌnˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “unnatural” in a sentence?

Here is “unnatural” used in a sentence: “There was something unnatural about the stillness of the forest that morning.”

What is another word for “unnatural”?

Words with a similar meaning to “unnatural” include contranatural.

What is the opposite of “unnatural”?

The opposite of “unnatural” — its antonyms — is natural.

What part of speech is “unnatural”?

“Unnatural” is an adjective.

Where does the word “unnatural” come from?

The word “unnatural” comes from Middle English. From Middle English unnatural, built from un- + natural.

Is “unnatural” a common word?

“Unnatural” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

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