# instinct

/ˈɪnstɪŋkt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/instinct
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. natural behavior

noun · CEFR B2

a natural way of acting that animals and people are born with.

For teachers: an innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior in animals in response to certain stimuli.

- Birds have a natural instinct to build nests in the springtime.
- The migratory instinct in certain species of butterflies remains one of the most fascinating subjects in behavioral biology.

### 2. intuitive feeling

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling that makes you do something without having to think about it first.

For teachers: a natural aptitude or intuitive way of acting or thinking without conscious deliberation.

- My first instinct was to run, but I decided to stay and help.
- Her professional instinct told her that the deal was too good to be true, despite the impressive figures presented by the board.

### 3. filled with

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

filled or charged with a specific quality or feeling.

For teachers: imbued or charged with a particular quality, emotion, or spirit.

- The old forest was instinct with a strange and quiet energy.
- The poet described a landscape instinct with life, where every leaf and stone seemed to vibrate with a hidden spirit.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'with'.

## Examples

- Her first instinct was to run away from the loud noise.
- Even though the map pointed left, his instinct told him to turn right, and he eventually found the hidden trail.
- While training can override certain automatic responses, a pilot's survival often depends on trusting a split-second instinct when the aircraft's instruments suddenly fail in heavy fog.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.