Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.
au naturel
is a borrowed French phrase (pronounced O NA-chuhr-EL) meaning “in a natural state,” and it is also an overused euphemism for “naked.” In cooking it means that a dish has been made “very simply” or “without sauces.” It’s a cliché in almost any use. Except in cooking, limit it to jocular use. See FOREIGN PHRASES.
