NATURALLY

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does naturally mean? 

• NATURALLY (adverb)
  The adverb NATURALLY has 4 senses:

1. as might be expected

2. according to nature; by natural means; without artificial help

3. through inherent nature

4. in a natural or normal manner

  Familiarity information: NATURALLY used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• NATURALLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

As might be expected

Synonyms:

course; naturally; of course

Context example:

naturally, the lawyer sent us a huge bill

Antonym:

unnaturally (in a manner at variance with what is natural or normal)

Sense 2

Meaning:

According to nature; by natural means; without artificial help

Context example:

naturally grown flowers

Antonym:

artificially (not according to nature; not by natural means)

Pertainym:

natural (existing in or produced by nature; not artificial or imitation)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Through inherent nature

Synonyms:

by nature; naturally

Context example:

he was naturally lazy

Sense 4

Meaning:

In a natural or normal manner

Context example:

speak naturally and easily

Antonym:

unnaturally (in an unnatural way)

 Context examples 

He very naturally fell to studying her from this new point of view, and before the evening was half over, had decided that 'little Amy was going to make a very charming woman'.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Researchers discovered a molecule in the immune system that could naturally kill cancer cells.

(Molecule in Immune System Able to Trigger 'Suicide' of Cancerous Tumors, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Those drugs would be based on a naturally occurring molecule, so they could have few off-target effects — a common problem with manmade nucleotide analogs, which can be effective but also quite toxic.

(Scientists Discover How Antiviral Gene Works, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

A team of researchers developed a new DREADD by changing the structure of a naturally occurring receptor called the κ-opioid receptor (KOR).

(Controlling Brain Circuits in Mice, NIH)

One clue is that you can zone in and out of conversations or tasks when appropriate, then naturally tune back in without missing important points or steps.

(Daydreaming Is Good: It Means You're Smart, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Current treatments include the administration of drugs that enhance the production of insulin by pancreatic beta cells, or direct injection of insulin to supplement the naturally produced supply.

(Researchers Develop Insulin-Producing Cells Activated by Light for Diabetes, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

A pulsar naturally surrounds itself with a cloud of electrons and positrons.

(NASA’s Fermi Mission Links Nearby Pulsar’s Gamma-ray ‘Halo’ to Antimatter Puzzle, NASA)

“Why, in the name of Heaven, where do you naturally belong?” he said.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Bacillus bacteria form spores that can survive harsh environments and commonly are ingested naturally with vegetables, allowing them to temporarily grow in the intestine.

(Study finds probiotic Bacillus eliminates Staphylococcus bacteria, National Institutes of Health)

Seeing the hook, however they naturally saved themselves the trouble.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)