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- 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"
1. : a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity. had an instinct for the right word. 2. a. : a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason. b. : behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level. instinctual.
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. 1. [ in -stingkt ] Phonetic (Standard)IPA. noun. 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. natural intuitive power. instinct. 2.
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. Animals and humans learn a lot of things from other animals and humans.
/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.
2 days ago · instinct in American English. (ˈɪnˌstɪŋkt ; for adj. ɪnˈstɪŋkt ; ˈɪnˌstɪŋkt ) noun. 1. (an) inborn tendency to behave in a way characteristic of a species; natural, unlearned, predictable response to stimuli. suckling is an instinct in mammals. 2. a natural or acquired tendency, aptitude, or talent; bent; knack; gift.
Definition of instinct – Learner’s Dictionary. instinct. noun [ C, U ] uk / ˈɪnstɪŋkt / us. Add to word list Add to word list. 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.
