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Meaning of instinct
The primary meaning of the word "instinct" is a natural or intuitive way of acting or thinking.
Etymology of instinct
The word "instinct" comes from the Latin "instinctus", which is the past participle of "instinguere", meaning "to incite or impel"
The term has been used in English since the 15th century to describe a natural or innate ability or tendency
Synonyms
intuition
impulse
instinctive
gut feeling
sixth sense
intuition
innate ability
natural ability
inborn talent
innate talent
aptitude
faculty
gift
knack
bent
tendency
proclivity
predisposition
inclination
penchant
disposition
temperament
character
nature
instinctual
primal
visceral
automatic
reflexive
impulsive
compulsive
inherent
intrinsic
native
congenital
hereditary
Definitions
- A natural or intuitive way of acting or thinking, independent of conscious thought or learned behavior
- * A fixed pattern of behavior that is characteristic of a particular species or group
Usage Examples
- The bird's instinct told it to migrate to warmer climates during the winter
- * She had a strong instinct that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it
- * The company's instinct was to cut costs and reduce staff during the economic downturn