unnatural

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unnatural' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is not in accordance with or is contrary to nature, or a usual pattern. For example, "The unnatural pink sky was an eerie sight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But when I buy my alcohol-free beer, half the time the checkout person will say: 'You know that's alcohol free?' It's not unnatural not to want to get pissed.

The Guardian

It is not quite clear why only one ball, which is inspected at the end of every over anyway, as well as at the fall of a wicket or an interval, was deemed to have unnatural deterioration.

The Guardian - Sport

I think they're just saying it's unnatural wear".

The Guardian - Sport

The suggestion that a ball used by England in the third one-day international on Wednesday had suffered "unnatural deterioration" in the opinion of the umpire Marais Erasmus is one that has been visited before.

The Guardian - Sport

Melba toast: Thanks to its unnatural consistency and spongy skin, sliced white makes excellent melba toast.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Is letting your baby cry itself to sleep at night cruel and unnatural or no big deal?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We inhabit a post-pastoral terrain, full of modification and compromise, and for this reason my glossaries began to fill up with "unnatural" language: terms from coastal sea defences (pillbox, bulwark, rock-armour), or soft estate, the Highways Agency term for those natural habitats that have developed along the verges of motorways and trunk roads.

The Guardian - Books

The whole thing becomes an unnatural exchange that leaves both parties feeling a little bit dirty and weird.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Something unnatural was being done to our food supply.

The Guardian

England found themselves under scrutiny following their 25-run win over West Indies in the deciding ODI as it emerged that the umpires changed one of the two balls they used at around the mid point of the West Indies innings because of "unnatural deterioration" – tampering in other words, although no five-run penalty was issued.

The Guardian - Sport

That will be me actually, spending an unnatural amount of time going up and down in a lift and trying to stave off motion sickness.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing phenomena, use "unnatural" to convey a sense of deviation from the established natural order or expected pattern. For instance, "the unnatural stillness of the forest" can highlight an unusual absence of wildlife or wind.

Common error

Avoid using "unnatural" to describe inherent human attributes or behaviors unless the intention is to pathologize or stigmatize. Focus on specific actions or conditions rather than generalizing them as "unnatural".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unnatural" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a deviation from what is considered natural or normal. Ludwig examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, reinforcing its role in describing anomalies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Books

8%

Opinion

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "unnatural" is widely used to describe something that deviates from the norm or what is expected in nature. Ludwig's examples confirm its versatile application across various contexts, from news and media to sports and lifestyle. Although the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used, writers should be mindful of its potential to stigmatize when applied to human attributes. Alternatives such as "abnormal" or "artificial" may offer more neutral connotations depending on the intended message. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is appropriate for use in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abnormal

Focuses on deviation from the normal or expected state.

artificial

Highlights something made or produced by human beings, not naturally occurring.

anomalous

Emphasizes irregularity or inconsistency with the typical.

irregular

Stresses a departure from established rules or patterns.

deviant

Implies a departure from accepted standards of behavior or norms.

perverse

Indicates something turned away from what is right or good.

contrived

Suggests something deliberately created or arranged in a way that seems artificial and unrealistic.

affected

Indicates behavior or mannerisms that are artificial and designed to impress.

synthetic

Focuses on something made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product.

extraordinary

Highlights something beyond what is ordinary or usual.

FAQs

How can I use "unnatural" in a sentence?

Use "unnatural" to describe something that deviates from what is considered normal or natural. For example, "The sudden frost in July felt completely unnatural."

What's the difference between "unnatural" and "artificial"?

"Unnatural" implies a deviation from nature, while "artificial" refers to something made or produced by humans, often as an imitation of something natural.

What are some alternatives to using the word "unnatural"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "abnormal", "artificial", or "anomalous" to replace "unnatural".

Is it correct to describe a feeling as "unnatural"?

Yes, it is acceptable to describe a feeling as "unnatural" if you mean it is not a typical or expected emotional response. For instance, "He felt an unnatural calm in the face of danger."