instinct
IHN-stihngkt
Instinct (noun) means a behavior or urge that comes naturally, without being learned. Example: “Migration is driven by instinct in many bird species.”
noun
1
A behavior or urge that comes naturally, without being learned.
"Migration is driven by instinct in many bird species."
"A newborn kitten finds its mother's milk by instinct alone."
"Dogs chase rabbits out of instinct, even when they are well fed."
2
A gut feeling or reaction that happens without conscious thought.
"Her instinct told her something was wrong before she had any proof."
"Trust your instinct if a situation feels unsafe."
"My first instinct was to walk away from the deal, and I was right."
How to use instinct
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA built-in, automatic reaction — either biological (like animal instinct) or a quick unexplained hunch.
Common pairings
maternal instinct
gut instinct
survival instinct
act on instinct
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Word forms
- Plural
- instincts
- Comparative
- more instinct
- Superlative
- most instinct
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Migration is driven by _____ in many bird species.
Etymology
From Latin instinctus, "impulse, instigation" — from instinguere, "to incite or spur on."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “instinct” mean?
The word “instinct” means a behavior or urge that comes naturally, without being learned. In plain terms, a built-in, automatic reaction — either biological (like animal instinct) or a quick unexplained hunch.
How do you pronounce “instinct”?
“Instinct” is pronounced IHN-stihngkt (/ˈɪn.stɪŋkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “instinct” in a sentence?
Here is “instinct” used in a sentence: “Migration is driven by instinct in many bird species.”
What part of speech is “instinct”?
“Instinct” is a noun.
Where does the word “instinct” come from?
The word “instinct” comes from Latin. From Latin instinctus, "impulse, instigation" — from instinguere, "to incite or spur on.".
Is “instinct” a common word?
“Instinct” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “instinct” have?
“Instinct” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a behavior or urge that comes naturally, without being learned.
What is the difference between instinct and intuition?
Instinct refers to a behavior or urge that comes naturally without being learned, often shared across a species, while intuition is more personal, describing a gut feeling or immediate understanding based on accumulated experience rather than innate biology. Both can describe knowing something without conscious reasoning, but instinct leans biological and intuition leans experiential.
What is a common phrase using instinct?
Common phrases include "maternal instinct," "survival instinct," and "trust your instinct," all referring to natural urges or gut reactions that guide behavior without deliberate thought.
Is instinct always accurate?
Not necessarily. Instinct describes an unlearned urge or gut reaction, but it is not a guarantee of correctness, since instincts can sometimes mislead, especially in unfamiliar or complex situations.
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