Instinct
noun
A natural feeling or behavior, doing without thinking.
Birds build nests by instinct.
Often appears as...
- survival instinct
- maternal instinct
noun
A way of behaving or thinking that is part of a person's nature.
His first instinct was to run.
Often appears as...
- first instinct
- basic instinct
adjective
Filled or charged with.
She was instinct with a sense of danger.
Often appears as...
- instinct with fear
- instinct with enthusiasm
Usage tips
Formal
Literary
noun
A natural feeling or behavior, doing without thinking.
Birds build nests by instinct.
Often appears as...
- survival instinct
- maternal instinct
noun
A way of behaving or thinking that is part of a person's nature.
His first instinct was to run.
Often appears as...
- first instinct
- basic instinct
adjective
Filled or charged with.
She was instinct with a sense of danger.
Often appears as...
- instinct with fear
- instinct with enthusiasm
Usage tips
Formal
Literary
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Unconscious Action
An instinct doesn't require conscious thought; it happens automatically.
He ducked out of instinct when the ball flew at his head.
Pro Tip 2/3Immediate Response
Instinct is often your immediate reaction before you've had time to think.
By instinct, she immediately reached out to catch the falling vase.
Pro Tip 3/3Inherent Skill
Some behaviors, like a spider spinning a web, are instinctual and don't need to be learned.
Without teaching, the puppies knew by instinct how to play and chase.
Pro Tip 1/3Unconscious Action
An instinct doesn't require conscious thought; it happens automatically.
He ducked out of instinct when the ball flew at his head.
Pro Tip 2/3Immediate Response
Instinct is often your immediate reaction before you've had time to think.
By instinct, she immediately reached out to catch the falling vase.
Pro Tip 3/3Inherent Skill
Some behaviors, like a spider spinning a web, are instinctual and don't need to be learned.
Without teaching, the puppies knew by instinct how to play and chase.
Pro Tip 1/3Unconscious Action
An instinct doesn't require conscious thought; it happens automatically.
He ducked out of instinct when the ball flew at his head.
Pro Tip 2/3Immediate Response
Instinct is often your immediate reaction before you've had time to think.
By instinct, she immediately reached out to catch the falling vase.
Pro Tip 3/3Inherent Skill
Some behaviors, like a spider spinning a web, are instinctual and don't need to be learned.
Without teaching, the puppies knew by instinct how to play and chase.
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Video examples
Upgrading management...
heads-up display that the drivers used to pair their instincts and experience with real-world analytics the results of the drivers are getting home earlier to see their families mileage is down which is good for profits in the environment customer satisfaction is actually up and they've been saving lives through an insight that they didn't have which is
Video examples
Why do we dream? - Amy...
Whether it's an anxiety-filled night of being chased through the woods by a bear or fighting off a ninja in a dark alley, these dreams allow you to practice your fight or flight instincts and keep them sharp and dependable in case you'll need them in real life. But it doesn't always have to be unpleasant.
Video examples
The science of...
our instinct is to move closer so the other senses can investigate. The nose's contribution to romance is more than noticing perfume or cologne. It's able to pick up on natural chemical signals known as pheromones. These not only convey important physical or genetic information about their source
Video examples
Baby Weasel Playtime PIPE...
this instinct dinner already the little chitter in this is like a contact call i've heard this in the wild with wild weasels lots of times and it's to me it's one of the most beautiful sounds that actually is twizz must start strengthening her muscles to improve her agility
Video examples
Russian Dating School PIPE...
wasn't far enough for me and my cushion tush, I have a date with another popular school. One that draws its inspiration from caveman times. Valentina Vychushanina's class encourages men and women to tap into their primordial instincts by summoning up the inner Flintstone.
Video examples
Oviraptorid Defends Her...
It now seems clear that the instinct to nurture and care for a nest of eggs had its origins with the dinosaurs. It's a behaviour that was so successful it's still widespread today with birds. But the fossils show something else.
Video examples
Puppy Adopted By Cat...
dogs pack life requires fighting for your share in the rough and tumble of competing mouths this puppy breaks all of the cat's social conventions his wild instincts express themselves despite his unusual family
Video examples
BBC Earth 50 Top Natural...
it now seems clear that the instinct to nurture and care for a nest of eggs had its origins with the dinosaurs it's a behavior that was so successful it's still widespread today with birds but
Video examples
Ferocious Dinosaur...
young are more likely to survive it now seems clear that the instinct to nurture and care for a nest of eggs had its origins with the dinosaurs it's a behavior that was so successful
Video examples
Ken Goldberg: 4 lessons...
She knew when to trust her instincts. And so that project taught me another lesson about life, which is that, when in doubt, improvise.
Video examples
Upgrading management...
heads-up display that the drivers used to pair their instincts and experience with real-world analytics the results of the drivers are getting home earlier to see their families mileage is down which is good for profits in the environment customer satisfaction is actually up and they've been saving lives through an insight that they didn't have which is
Video examples
Why do we dream? - Amy...
Whether it's an anxiety-filled night of being chased through the woods by a bear or fighting off a ninja in a dark alley, these dreams allow you to practice your fight or flight instincts and keep them sharp and dependable in case you'll need them in real life. But it doesn't always have to be unpleasant.
Video examples
The science of...
our instinct is to move closer so the other senses can investigate. The nose's contribution to romance is more than noticing perfume or cologne. It's able to pick up on natural chemical signals known as pheromones. These not only convey important physical or genetic information about their source
Video examples
Baby Weasel Playtime PIPE...
this instinct dinner already the little chitter in this is like a contact call i've heard this in the wild with wild weasels lots of times and it's to me it's one of the most beautiful sounds that actually is twizz must start strengthening her muscles to improve her agility
Video examples
Russian Dating School PIPE...
wasn't far enough for me and my cushion tush, I have a date with another popular school. One that draws its inspiration from caveman times. Valentina Vychushanina's class encourages men and women to tap into their primordial instincts by summoning up the inner Flintstone.
Video examples
Oviraptorid Defends Her...
It now seems clear that the instinct to nurture and care for a nest of eggs had its origins with the dinosaurs. It's a behaviour that was so successful it's still widespread today with birds. But the fossils show something else.
Video examples
Puppy Adopted By Cat...
dogs pack life requires fighting for your share in the rough and tumble of competing mouths this puppy breaks all of the cat's social conventions his wild instincts express themselves despite his unusual family
Video examples
BBC Earth 50 Top Natural...
it now seems clear that the instinct to nurture and care for a nest of eggs had its origins with the dinosaurs it's a behavior that was so successful it's still widespread today with birds but
Video examples
Ferocious Dinosaur...
young are more likely to survive it now seems clear that the instinct to nurture and care for a nest of eggs had its origins with the dinosaurs it's a behavior that was so successful
Video examples
Ken Goldberg: 4 lessons...
She knew when to trust her instincts. And so that project taught me another lesson about life, which is that, when in doubt, improvise.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Golda Meir
Israeli Leader
There can be no doubt that the average man blames much more than he praises. His instinct is to blame. If he is satisfied he says nothing; if he is not, he most illogically kicks up a row.
Quote examples
Robert De Niro
Actor
I always tell actors when they go in for an audition: Don't be afraid to do what your instincts tell you. You may not get the part, but people will take notice.
Quote examples
Ali Wong
American Actress
That's the difference between a great comic and a bad comic - one has great instincts and has a lot of compassion and can feel what's right and what's wrong.
Quote examples
Louisa May Alcott
American Novelist
She had a womanly instinct that clothes possess an influence more powerful over many than the worth of character or the magic of manners.
Quote examples
Armistead Maupin
American Novelist
I think that instinct, that storytelling instinct, rescued me most of my life.
Quote examples
Edmund Burke
Irish Statesman
Passion for fame: A passion which is the instinct of all great souls.
Quote examples
Boz Scaggs
American Musician
I really just followed my musical instincts every step of my life.
Quote examples
Genndy Tartakovsky
Russian Director
Everything that I've ever made in my life is from my instinct.
Quote examples
Will Ferrell
American Comedian
Happens I am very political. I have deep political instincts.
Quote examples
Sienna Miller
American Actress
I've always kind of done exactly what my instincts said.
Quote examples
Golda Meir
Israeli Leader
There can be no doubt that the average man blames much more than he praises. His instinct is to blame. If he is satisfied he says nothing; if he is not, he most illogically kicks up a row.
Quote examples
Robert De Niro
Actor
I always tell actors when they go in for an audition: Don't be afraid to do what your instincts tell you. You may not get the part, but people will take notice.
Quote examples
Ali Wong
American Actress
That's the difference between a great comic and a bad comic - one has great instincts and has a lot of compassion and can feel what's right and what's wrong.
Quote examples
Louisa May Alcott
American Novelist
She had a womanly instinct that clothes possess an influence more powerful over many than the worth of character or the magic of manners.
Quote examples
Armistead Maupin
American Novelist
I think that instinct, that storytelling instinct, rescued me most of my life.
Quote examples
Edmund Burke
Irish Statesman
Passion for fame: A passion which is the instinct of all great souls.
Quote examples
Boz Scaggs
American Musician
I really just followed my musical instincts every step of my life.
Quote examples
Genndy Tartakovsky
Russian Director
Everything that I've ever made in my life is from my instinct.
Quote examples
Will Ferrell
American Comedian
Happens I am very political. I have deep political instincts.
Quote examples
Sienna Miller
American Actress
I've always kind of done exactly what my instincts said.
Example 1 of 10
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