What does natured mean?
Natured is a rare adjective meaning “having a particular nature or character.” It is usually encountered as the second element of a hyphenated compound, especially good-natured, kind-natured, ill-natured, or sweet-natured. In these expressions, the preceding word specifies the quality of the person’s character, while the compound as a whole functions as an adjective. The word can suggest an enduring disposition rather than a temporary mood: a kind-natured person is generally gentle and good-tempered, whereas an ill-natured person is commonly described as disagreeable or bad-tempered. Although the construction sounds old-fashioned and poetic today, it remains readily understood. As a stand-alone form, natured is uncommon, so writers normally use a more familiar adjective such as kind, amiable, or cantankerous instead.
adjectiveHaving a particular nature or character, especially as expressed in a compound such as kind-natured or ill-natured. It is normally used with a preceding word rather than as a stand-alone adjective.
- Having a specified kind of character or disposition, as in kind-natured or ill-natured.
"Despite his stern manner, he was fundamentally a generous, kind-natured person."
"The children were all good-natured despite the long journey."
"His ill-natured remark silenced the room."
In expressions such as good-natured and ill-natured, “-natured” is a bound form that turns a description of character into a complete adjective.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does natured come from?
Natured is formed from nature together with the adjectival suffix -ed. Nature itself comes through Old French from Latin natura, the stem of nascere, meaning “to be born,” and thus originally referred to the inherent character or constitution of something. The form natured developed in the pattern of English compounds such as good-natured and ill-natured.
How natured is actually used
This is now rare in ordinary modern English and is chiefly literary or poetic. In contemporary usage it almost always appears after another word in a hyphenated compound; a form such as “a natured person” would sound unusual.