The meaning of INSTINCT is a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity.

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

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

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, genetically …

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 on the dog's …

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.

INSTINCT definition: an inborn pattern of activity or tendency to action common to a given biological species. See examples of instinct used in a sentence.

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 undeniable.

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.

An instinct is something you don't need to learn — it happens naturally, without you even thinking about it. Babies cry by instinct, and ducks follow their mother by instinct.