Word

instinct

noun C1

/ˈɪn.stɪŋkt/

Meanings

noun

a natural, inborn pattern of behavior, especially in animals, that happens without learning

noun

an immediate, intuitive feeling about what is true or what you should do, without conscious reasoning

Definition

Instinct is a natural, automatic feeling or tendency that guides how you react without conscious reasoning.

Instinct is an inborn or deeply natural response that helps you sense what to do, often immediately and without deliberate thought. People also use it to mean an intuitive judgement based on experience, even when they cannot fully explain it. It can influence decisions, reactions, and behavior in both humans and animals.

Examples

My instinct told me to double-check the figures before I sent the report.
Your instinct might be to interrupt, but you will get further by letting them finish.
His instinct was to step back when the crowd started pushing forward.
Her instinct for timing makes her questions land exactly when the room is ready to listen.
Their instinct to protect their teammates showed in how quickly they closed ranks under pressure.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse instinct with intuition and use them interchangeably, but instinct is usually more automatic and inborn, while intuition often implies learned judgement.