Instinct: meaning, definitions and examples

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instinct

[ ˈɪnstɪŋkt ]

^{Context #1}

animal behavior

An instinct is a natural or inherent impulse or behavior pattern that is typically unlearned and characteristic of a species. It is often driven by survival or reproductive needs.

Synonyms

innate behavior, intuition, urge

Examples of usage

Mother birds have the instinct to protect their young from predators.
Salmon have the instinct to swim upstream to spawn.
Wolves have a strong hunting instinct.

^{Context #2}

human behavior

Instinct can also refer to a natural or intuitive way of acting or thinking, often without conscious reasoning. It is sometimes described as a gut feeling or sixth sense.

Synonyms

hunch, impulse, intuition

Examples of usage

She had an instinct that something was wrong.
His instinct told him to trust her.
Following her instinct, she turned left instead of right.

Translations

Translations of the word "instinct" in other languages:

🇵🇹 instinto

🇮🇳 सहज प्रवृत्ति

🇩🇪 Instinkt

🇮🇩 naluri

🇺🇦 інстинкт

🇵🇱 instynkt

🇯🇵 本能

🇫🇷 instinct

🇪🇸 instinto

🇹🇷 içgüdü

🇰🇷 본능

🇸🇦 غريزة

🇨🇿 instinkt

🇸🇰 inštinkt

🇨🇳 本能

🇸🇮 instinkt

🇮🇸 eðlishvöt

🇰🇿 инстинкт

🇬🇪 ინსტინქტი

🇦🇿 instinkt

🇲🇽 instinto

Word origin

The word 'instinct' comes from the Latin word 'instinctus', meaning 'impulse' or 'instigation'. It has been used in English since the early 15th century to describe innate behaviors in animals. Over time, the term has evolved to also encompass intuitive behaviors in humans.