Artificial vs. Natural — What's the Difference?

Made in imitation of something natural.

In accordance with nature; realistic.

Made by human skill or effort rather than occurring naturally.

Existing in or derived from nature; not made by humans.

Relating to or involving technology or machinery.

Based on the inherent qualities of a person or thing.

Not arising from natural growth or origin.

Not altered, treated, or disguised.

Manufactured to replace a natural equivalent.

Relating to natural products that are not chemically altered.

Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, especially as a copy of something natural

Present in or produced by nature

(of a person or their behaviour) insincere or affected

Of, relating to, or concerning nature

(of a bid) conventional as opposed to natural

Conforming to the usual or ordinary course of nature

Made by humans, especially in imitation of something natural

Not acquired; inherent

Not arising from natural or necessary causes; contrived or arbitrary

Having a particular character by nature

Affected or insincere

(Biology) Not produced or changed artificially; not conditioned

Man-made; made by humans; of artifice.

Characterized by spontaneity and freedom from artificiality, affectation, or inhibitions.

; fake, forced, or feigned.

Not altered, treated, or disguised

Not natural or normal: imposed arbitrarily or without regard to the specifics or normal circumstances of a person, a situation, etc.

Faithfully representing nature or life.

(bridge) Conveying some meaning other than the actual contents of one's hand.

Expected and accepted

Made or contrived by art; produced or modified by human skill and labor, in opposition to natural; as, artificial heat or light, gems, salts, minerals, fountains, flowers.

Established by moral certainty or conviction

Feigned; fictitious; assumed; affected; not genuine.

Being in a state regarded as primitive, uncivilized, or unregenerate.

Artful; cunning; crafty.

Related genetically

Cultivated; not indigenous; not of spontaneous growth; as, artificial grasses.

Born to parents who have never been married to each other

Contrived by art rather than nature;

(Mathematics) Of or relating to positive integers, sometimes including zero.

Artificially formal;

Not sharped or flatted.

Not arising from natural growth or characterized by vital processes

Having no sharps or flats.

Relating to hair that is allowed to remain in an unaltered state

One having all the qualifications necessary for success

One suited by nature for a certain purpose or function

The sign (♮) placed before a note to cancel a preceding sharp or flat.

A note so affected.

A yellowish gray to pale orange yellow.

(Games) A combination in certain card and dice games that wins immediately.

Existing in nature.

Existing in the nature of a person or thing; innate, not acquired or learned.

Normally associated with a particular person or thing; inherently related to the nature of a thing or creature.

As expected; reasonable, normal; naturally arising from the given circumstances.

Formed by nature; not manufactured or created by artificial processes.

Pertaining to death brought about by disease or old age, rather than by violence, accident etc.

Having an innate ability to fill a given role or profession, or display a specified character.

(maths) Designating a standard trigonometric function of an angle, as opposed to the logarithmic function.

(music) Neither sharp nor flat. Denoted ♮.

Containing no artificial or man-made additives; especially (of food) containing no colourings, flavourings or preservatives.

Pertaining to a decoration that preserves or enhances the appearance of the original material; not stained or artificially coloured.

Pertaining to a fabric still in its undyed state, or to the colour of undyed fabric.

(dice) Pertaining to a dice roll before bonuses or penalties have been applied to the result.

(bodybuilding) Not having used anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.

(bridge) Bidding in an intuitive way that reflects one's actual hand.

(algebra) Closed under submodules, direct sums, and injective hulls.

Pertaining to birth or descent; native.

Having a given status (especially of authority) by virtue of birth.

Related genetically but not legally to one's father; born out of wedlock, illegitimate.

Related by birth; genetically related.

A native inhabitant of a place, country etc.

(music) A note that is not or is no longer to be modified by an accidental.

(music) The symbol ♮ used to indicate such a natural note.

One with an innate talent at or for something.

An almost white colour, with tints of grey, yellow or brown; originally that of natural fabric.

(archaic) One with a simple mind; a fool or idiot.

One's life.

A hairstyle for people with Afro-textured hair in which the hair is not straightened or otherwise treated.

Someone who has not used anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.

(craps) A roll of two dice with a score of 7 or 11 on the comeout roll.

Naturally; in a natural manner.

Fixed or determined by nature; pertaining to the constitution of a thing; belonging to native character; according to nature; essential; characteristic; innate; not artificial, foreign, assumed, put on, or acquired; as, the natural growth of animals or plants; the natural motion of a gravitating body; natural strength or disposition; the natural heat of the body; natural color.

Conformed to the order, laws, or actual facts, of nature; consonant to the methods of nature; according to the stated course of things, or in accordance with the laws which govern events, feelings, etc.; not exceptional or violent; legitimate; normal; regular; as, the natural consequence of crime; a natural death; anger is a natural response to insult.

Having to do with existing system to things; dealing with, or derived from, the creation, or the world of matter and mind, as known by man; within the scope of human reason or experience; not supernatural; as, a natural law; natural science; history, theology.

Conformed to truth or reality

Having the character or sentiments properly belonging to one's position; not unnatural in feelings.

Connected by the ties of consanguinity.

Begotten without the sanction of law; born out of wedlock; illegitimate; bastard; as, a natural child.

Of or pertaining to the lower or animal nature, as contrasted with the higher or moral powers, or that which is spiritual; being in a state of nature; unregenerate.

Belonging to, to be taken in, or referred to, some system, in which the base is 1; - said of certain functions or numbers; as, natural numbers, those commencing at 1; natural sines, cosines, etc., those taken in arcs whose radii are 1.

Produced by natural organs, as those of the human throat, in distinction from instrumental music.

Existing in nature or created by the forces of nature, in contrast to production by man; not made, manufactured, or processed by humans; as, a natural ruby; a natural bridge; natural fibers; a deposit of natural calcium sulfate. Opposed to artificial, man-made, manufactured, processed and synthetic.

Not processed or refined; in the same statre as that existing in nature; as, natural wood; natural foods.

A native; an aboriginal.

Natural gifts, impulses, etc.

One born without the usual powers of reason or understanding; an idiot.

A character [

A person who has an innate talent that makes success in some specific endeavor, such as sports, much easier than for others; as, Pele was a natural in soccer.

Someone regarded as certain to succeed;

A notation cancelling a previous sharp or flat

(craps) a first roll of 7 or 11 that immediately wins the stake

In accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature;

Existing in or produced by nature; not artificial or imitation;

Existing in or in conformity with nature or the observable world; neither supernatural nor magical;

Functioning or occurring in a normal way; lacking abnormalities or deficiencies;

Of a key containing no sharps or flats;

Unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct;

(used especially of commodities) in the natural unprocessed condition;

Related by blood; not adopted;

Being talented through inherited qualities;

Unaffected and natural looking;

Yes, regulations vary by country, but generally, products labeled as "natural" must not contain artificial ingredients, colors, or preservatives.

Artificial products can be more durable, less expensive, and more readily available than their natural counterparts.

Artificial flavors are chemically created to mimic natural flavors but may lack the complexity and depth of flavors that natural extracts provide.

Generally, artificial products are less expensive to produce than natural products, which often require more careful sourcing and processing.

Common artificial materials include plastics, synthetic fibers like nylon, and composite materials such as carbon fiber.

On product labels, "natural" typically indicates that the product is made from ingredients sourced from nature and minimally processed.

Artificial lighting can mimic natural light to some extent but often lacks the full spectrum of sunlight, which can affect mood and health.

Natural product production can lead to habitat destruction, overuse of resources, and pollution if not managed sustainably.

Artificial additives enhance flavor, color, texture, and shelf life in food and beverages, though they are sometimes criticized for potential health risks.

Natural medicine uses plant and animal-derived substances, often with holistic intentions, while synthetic medicine utilizes chemically produced substances that can be more potent and targeted.

Consumers often perceive artificial products as more durable due to their synthetic nature, which can resist natural decay processes better than natural products.

Yes, artificial environments like man-made wetlands can provide habitat and aid in conservation efforts, though they may not fully replicate the biodiversity of natural settings.

Artists might use artificial materials for their versatility, range of colors, durability, or cost-effectiveness.

Ethical considerations include the sustainability of production methods, the environmental impact, and the health implications of both artificial and natural products.

Significant advancements include the creation of artificial hearts, kidneys, and skin that mimic the functions of natural organs, often using synthetic or bioengineered materials.