instinct Definition
- 1an innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior in animals in response to certain stimuli
- 2a natural or intuitive way of acting or thinking
Using instinct: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "instinct" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The bird's instinct told it to fly south for the winter.
Example
Her maternal instincts kicked in when she saw the child crying.
Example
He had an instinct that something was wrong.
Example
The cat's hunting instinct is strong.
instinct Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for instinct
Antonyms for instinct
Idioms Using instinct
follow one's instincts
act according to one's natural or intuitive feeling about something
Example
She decided to follow her instincts and take the job offer.
Example
He has a nose for good deals and always manages to find the best bargains.
Example
Instead of making a plan, we decided to just go with the flow and see where the day takes us.
Phrases with instinct
gut instinct
an instinctive feeling, as opposed to a reasoned one, about a particular course of action
Example
My gut instinct tells me that we should not trust him.
killer instinct
an aggressive and ruthless attitude or approach to achieving one's goals
Example
He has a killer instinct when it comes to business deals.
a physiological response to a perceived threat, which prepares the body to either fight or flee
Example
When confronted by the bear, his fight or flight instinct kicked in.
Origins of instinct
from Latin 'instinctus', meaning 'impulse, prompting'
Summary: instinct in Brief
'Instinct' [ˈɪnstɪŋkt] refers to an innate, often fixed pattern of behavior in animals, or a natural or intuitive way of acting or thinking in humans. Examples include the bird's instinct to fly south for the winter, and the gut instinct that tells us something is wrong. Phrases like 'gut instinct' and 'killer instinct' denote different aspects of this concept, while idioms like 'follow one's instincts' and 'go with the flow' suggest ways of acting on it.