unnaturalistic
|un-na-tur-al-is-tic|
/ˌʌnˌnætʃəˈrɪstɪk/
not natural; artificial / nonrealistic style
Etymology
'unnaturalistic' originates in English as a compound formed from the prefix 'un-' + 'natural' + the adjectival suffix '-istic' (the suffix '-istic' ultimately from Greek '-istikos' via Latin and Old French), where 'un-' meant 'not' and 'natural' related to 'nature'.
'unnaturalistic' developed by attaching the suffix '-istic' to 'unnatural' (itself from 'un-' + 'natural'), producing an adjective that emphasizes a quality or style of being not natural; usage in critiques of art and performance became established in modern English.
Initially it meant simply 'not natural' or 'contrary to nature'; over time it gained a more specialized usage in aesthetics and criticism to describe styles, performances, or portrayals that deliberately reject realism.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not natural; appearing artificial, forced, or contrived rather than spontaneous or realistic.
His smile looked odd and unnaturalistic in the otherwise relaxed photograph.
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Adjective 2
in artistic or critical contexts: deliberately nonrealistic or opposed to realism; a style or portrayal that does not aim to imitate real life.
The director chose an unnaturalistic approach, favoring symbolism and abstraction over lifelike depiction.
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Last updated: 2025/11/08 16:02