What does unnatural mean?
Word: Unnatural
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Unnatural means different from what is usual or expected, and often a little odd.
Synonyms: strange
Antonyms: natural
How do you spell unnatural?
Syllables: un - nat - u - ral
Tricky part: The n is doubled near the start, but it is easy to say it as one quick sound, so pupils drop one and write unatural.
Watch out for: unatural, unnachural
Memory tip: Hold the n for a moment as you say it, as you would in unnamed or unnoticed: that slightly longer hum reminds you there are two.
Unnatural in a sentence
Example 1: The plastic grass on the hockey pitch had an unnatural green shine.
Example 2: An unnatural silence filled the classroom when the head teacher walked in.
Example 3: The robot in the film spoke in a flat, unnatural voice.
Fun Fact
The word natural goes back to a Latin word for being born. That is why nature, native and nation all belong to the same family.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Choose the prefix that completes the word:
natural
a) dis
b) un
c) in
d) im
Show answer
b) un. This beginning means not, as it does in unkind and unusual.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
tlnaunrua
a) unnatural
b) unusual
c) neutral
d) untrained
Show answer
a) unnatural. Untrained has an i and a d, unusual has an s, and neutral is too short and has an e.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word:
unnatural
a) ordinary
b) gentle
c) pleasant
d) abnormal
Show answer
d) abnormal. Both words describe something that is not as it usually is.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) unforgettable
b) unnecessary
c) unbelieveable
d) unnatural
Show answer
c) unbelieveable. The e of believe drops out before able, as it does in desirable.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these would be an unnatural colour for the skin of a ripe banana?
a) golden yellow
b) speckled yellow
c) pale yellow
d) sky blue
Show answer
d) sky blue
2. A forced smile in a school photo looks unnatural because it ____.
a) is printed in colour
b) does not seem genuine
c) shows only one person
d) was taken indoors
Show answer
b) does not seem genuine
