Plain and Natural

The Webster definition of plain is, “not decorated or elaborate; simple or ordinary in character.” The Webster definition of natural is, “existing in or caused by nature; not made or caused by humankind.” These two words have similar denotations. Things in nature are considered to be simple and not have all the human flare, which we add to our creations. By this logic something in nature can be considered plain, and something in nature is natural, so plain and natural mean almost the same thing.

Natural’s connotation is something that is in nature. It is something that has come from Mother Earth and is beautiful as a result. Natural is not artificial, so no one can create something that is natural. You can create something that appears natural or gives that feeling of being natural but it is not natural. When you hear the word “natural” you think of mother nature and something that does not need to be fixed. The word natural is used in a lot of different ways. “Going all natural,” means either not wearing any makeup, or going straight nude. Natural is also used to describe a crappy, cheap beer, Natural Light.  

The word “plain” gives the feeling that it is ordinary and not a lot to it. Anything can be plain and boring, while something that is natural has so much more possibility and variety. Plain is just boring and does not have a lot of connotation because the word is plain. Plain describes it self because it is plain.