natural-born
Americanadjective
-
by virtue of one's nature, qualities, or innate talent.
a natural-born musician.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of natural-born
First recorded in 1575–85
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Both are sons of immigrants, although the mayor was born in Uganda while the think-tank president, a Brooklyn native, is a natural-born American.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 1, 2026
When an American-born descendant of resident noncitizens sued after being refused re-entry to San Francisco under the Chinese Exclusion Act, the court recognized his natural-born citizenship.
From Salon ● Dec. 9, 2025
Titled “Mary Magdalene,” it mixes fact and fiction, as in general seems to be Davis’ wont as a natural-born storyteller, always refining her tale through fabulation and embellishment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 9, 2025
Pierre Schoeman tells a story from his youth in South Africa, a natural-born raconteur in adulthood speaking of the adventurous spirit of his 13-year-old self.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2025
I was a natural-born fan of the long and judicious wait.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
