What does naturalised mean?
Naturalised most commonly describes a person who has legally become a citizen of a country other than the one in which they were born. In this sense, it marks both a change in legal status and the broader experience of gaining membership in a society. The adjective can also describe something made to appear natural, ordinary, or free from artificiality, as in a naturalised way of speaking, or adjusted to resemble a natural form or state. The citizenship sense is especially common in British and other Commonwealth English, though the word is also used in American English, generally with the alternative spelling naturalized. Naturalised carries the implication of an outward change that enables a person or thing to fit naturally into a new environment. In the legal sense, however, it refers specifically to the formal acquisition of citizenship and therefore should not be used for ordinary residence, cultural familiarity, or naturalization in a loose or informal sense.
Having acquired citizenship of a country other than one's country of birth.
"The team included several naturalised players who represented the country at international level."
This is the dominant modern sense. The spelling is naturalised in British English and naturalized in American English.
Made natural, ordinary, or free from artificiality.
"The building's naturalised stonework blends convincingly into the surrounding hillside."
This sense is less common and may describe an appearance, manner, material, or environment made to seem naturally formed.
From birthplace to belonging: naturalised marks the legal moment when foreign-born residents become citizens of their adopted country.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of naturalised
The word derives from naturalise, which in turn comes from natural, from Latin naturalis, meaning “of or according to nature.” The citizenship sense developed from the idea of making someone naturally a member of a national community. The British spelling with -ise reflects the convention used in British English, while American English generally uses naturalize.
Related word forms
How naturalised is actually used
The sense involving citizenship is especially associated with British, Australian, Canadian, and other Commonwealth English. The spelling with -ise is standard in British English, while -ized is standard in American English.
Easily confused with naturalised
Naturalised is the British spelling of the adjective, whereas naturalize is the standard American spelling of the corresponding verb.