Search results
- DictionaryIn·stinct
noun
- 1. an innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior in animals in response to certain stimuli: "birds have an instinct to build nests"
adjective
- 1. imbued or filled with (a quality, especially a desirable one): formal "these canvases are instinct with passion"
The meaning of INSTINCT is a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity. How to use instinct in a sentence.
INSTINCT definition: 1. the way people or animals naturally react or behave, without having to think or learn about it…. Learn more.
an inborn pattern of activity or tendency to action common to a given biological species. a natural or innate impulse, inclination, or tendency. a natural aptitude or gift: an instinct for making money. Synonyms: talent, faculty, knack, genius.
An instinct is something you don't need to learn — it happens naturally, without you even thinking about it. Babies cry by instinct, and ducks follow their mother by instinct.
/ˈɪnstɪŋkt/ [uncountable, countable] a natural quality that makes people and animals tend to behave in a particular way using the knowledge and abilities that they were born with rather than thought or training. She did not seem to have any of the usual maternal instincts.
Instinct is a feeling that you have that something is the case, rather than an opinion or idea based on facts. There is scientific evidence to support our instinct that being surrounded by plants is good for health.
instinct (that…) a feeling that makes you do something or believe that something is true, even though it is not based on facts or reason synonym intuition Her instincts had been right. See instinct in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Check pronunciation: instinct.
INSTINCT meaning: the way someone naturally reacts or behaves, without having to think or learn about it: . Learn more.
noun. instincts. (an) Inborn tendency to behave in a way characteristic of a species; natural, unlearned, predictable response to stimuli. Suckling is an instinct in mammals. Webster's New World. Similar definitions. A natural or acquired tendency, aptitude, or talent; bent; knack; gift. An instinct for doing the right thing. Webster's New World.
n. 1. an inborn pattern of activity or tendency to action common to a given biological species. 2. a natural or innate impulse, inclination, or tendency. 3. a natural aptitude or gift: an instinct for making money.
instinct meaning, definition, what is instinct: a natural tendency to behave in a partic...: Learn more.
Instinct is the inherent inclination of a living organism towards a particular complex behaviour, containing innate (inborn) elements.
the way people or animals naturally react or behave, without having to think or learn about it: All his instincts told him to stay near the car and wait for help. [ + to infinitive ] Her first instinct was to run. It is instinct that tells the birds when to begin their migration.
INSTINCT meaning: 1 : a way of behaving, thinking, or feeling that is not learned a natural desire or tendency that makes you want to act in a particular way; 2 : something you know without learning it or thinking about it
instinct, an inborn impulse or motivation to action typically performed in response to specific external stimuli. Today instinct is generally described as a stereotyped, apparently unlearned, genetically determined behaviour pattern.
There are four meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun instinct, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
an inborn pattern of activity or tendency to action common to a given biological species. a natural or innate impulse, inclination, or tendency. a natural aptitude or gift: an instinct for making money. natural intuitive power. Latin instinctus prompting, instigation, enthusiasm, equivalent. to * insting ( uere) ( in- in - 2 + * sting ( u) ere ...
Jun 8, 2024 · A natural or inherent impulse or behaviour . Many animals fear fire by instinct. An intuitive reaction not based on rational conscious thought. an instinct for order; to be modest by instinct. Debbie's instinct was to distrust John.
Definition of instinct. English dictionary and integrated thesaurus for learners, writers, teachers, and students with advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels.
The meaning of INSTINCTIVE is of, relating to, or being instinct. How to use instinctive in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Instinctive.
Definition of instinct. as in tendency. a usually innate ability or desire to perform a specific activity Pouncing on mice is a cat's natural instinct. We needed all of our survival instincts to make it through the weeks lost at sea. Synonyms & Similar Words. Relevance. tendency. skill. inclination. impulse. disposition. predisposition. propensity.
the way someone naturally reacts or behaves, without having to think or learn about it: [ + to do sth ] a mother's instinct to protect her children.
There are three meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective instinct, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
