Instinct: meaning, definitions and examples

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instinct

[ˈɪnstɪŋkt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
instinct	Used to describe an inborn, natural impulse or tendency that drives behavior without the need for reason or learning. Often used in the context of animal behavior but can also apply to humans. Birds have an instinct to migrate before winter. His instinct told him to avoid the dark alley.
intuition	Relates to the ability to understand or know something immediately, without reasoning or conscious thought. Often used in human psychology and decision-making contexts. She had a strong intuition that something was wrong. Intuition guided him to make the right choice.
urge	Describes a strong desire or impulse to do something. This word is often used to talk about human cravings or sudden impulses, sometimes with a negative connotation when referring to undesirable or uncontrollable desires. He felt an urge to shout in the middle of the meeting. She couldn't resist the urge to eat the whole cake.
innate behavior	Refers to actions or reactions that are hard-wired in an organism from birth, without needing to be learned through experience. Commonly used in biological and psychological discussions. Spiders spinning webs is an example of innate behavior. The baby's ability to suckle is an innate behavior.

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 | Noun}

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
instinct	Refers to an innate, often biological impulse or reaction that happens without conscious thought. It is commonly used in contexts involving survival, natural behaviors, or deep-seated responses. The bird built its nest by instinct. He trusted his instincts when deciding to turn left.
intuition	Refers to an understanding or knowing that comes without evident rational thought or concrete evidence, often used in contexts involving decision-making, creativity, or personal insight. Her intuition told her that something was wrong in the office. Trusting her intuition, she decided to invest in the startup.
hunch	Describes a feeling or guess based on intuition or incomplete information. It does not have a strong basis in rational thought. I have a hunch that it will rain tomorrow. She followed her hunch and found the lost keys in the garden.
impulse	Indicates a sudden, often irrational desire or urge to do something. It is spontaneous and usually not thought through. This term can carry a negative connotation if the action is reckless. He bought the expensive watch on impulse. Fighting back the impulse to shout, she tried to calm down.

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'instinctus', meaning 'to incite' or 'to spur into action'.
In early history, it referred to an inner prompting that leads to certain behaviors.
It was originally used in the context of animals and later applied to humans.

Biology

Many animals rely on instincts for survival, like birds migrating or turtles finding the ocean after hatching.
In humans, instincts can include responses to danger, like the fight-or-flight response.
Certain social behaviors are thought to be instinctual, helping form bonds and communities.

Psychology

Instincts are often linked to subconscious thoughts and feelings, influencing our choices and behavior.
Freud's theories suggested that human instincts drive basic urges related to survival and reproduction.
The distinction between instinct and learned behavior is key in understanding how individuals respond to their environment.

Pop Culture

Movies like 'Jurassic Park' showcase characters relying on instincts in dangerous situations, heightening drama.
The term 'follow your instincts' often appears in self-help books, encouraging people to trust their gut feelings.
In literature, characters often face dilemmas where instincts clash with moral choices, revealing complex human nature.

Philosophy

Debates exist around whether instincts are purely biological or shaped by cultural experiences.
Philosophers like Descartes pondered the role of instinct in human decision-making and rationality.
Some argue that human behavior is a blend of instinctual drives and conscious reasoning.

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 Frequency Rank

At #6,440 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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