The meaning of INSTINCT is a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity. How to use instinct in a sentence.

Instinct is the inherent inclination of a living organism towards a particular complex behaviour, containing innate (inborn) elements.

instinct, an inborn impulse or motivation to action typically performed in response to specific external stimuli. Today instinct is generally described as a stereotyped, apparently unlearned, …

INSTINCT definition: 1. the way people or animals naturally react or behave, without having to think or learn about it…. Learn more.

Instinct is the natural tendency that a person or animal has to behave or react in a particular way. I didn't have as strong a maternal instinct as some other mothers. The basis for training relies …

An inborn pattern of behavior that is characteristic of a species and is often a response to specific environmental stimuli: the spawning instinct in salmon; altruistic instincts in social animals.

2 days ago · And when instinct disguises itself as intuition, it can lead us to misread situations, damage relationships, and make choices that feel self-protective in the moment but ultimately …

Nov 11, 2025 · instinct (countable and uncountable, plural instincts) Many animals fear fire by instinct. In spite of these qualifications, the broad distinction between instinct and habit is …

a natural or innate impulse without needing to think or consider: [uncountable] He knew by instinct that he should keep quiet. [countable] She has an instinct to make money.

Instinct, as opposed to reflex, is usually used of inherited behavior patterns that are more complex or sometimes involve a degree of interaction with learning processes. Behavior that is not …