Instinct | Mean of instinct in English Dictionary

/ˈɪnˌstɪŋkt/

• Noun
• a way of behaving, thinking, or feeling that is not learned
1. Our first instinct was to run.
2. Cats possess a natural hunting instinct.
3. Seeing the baby aroused all her maternal instincts.
4. The decision was based on (gut) instinct.
• something you know without learning it or thinking about it
1. Her instincts told her that something was wrong. [=she believed that something was wrong even though there was no obvious reason to believe it]
2. You have to learn to trust/follow your instincts. [=to trust your feelings about what is right or true even when you cannot be sure that it is right or true]
3. He has been guided throughout his career by his political instincts.
4. Mere instinct alerted her to the danger.
5. He knew by instinct what not to say.
6. She seemed to know by instinct that something was wrong.
• a natural ability
1. He has a strong survival instinct.
2. an athlete with good instincts
3. He has a strong instinct for survival.
4. She has a natural instinct for making the right decisions in her job.
5. a strong instinct to survive