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1. Dictionary

   instinct

   noun

   • 1. an innate, typically fixed pattern of behaviour in animals in response to certain stimuli: "the homing instinct"
   • ▪ a natural or intuitive way of acting or thinking: "they retain their old authoritarian instincts" Similar natural tendencyinborn tendencyinherent tendencyinclinationinner promptingurgedrivecompulsionneedintuitionnatural feelingsixth sensesecond sightinsightnose
   • ▪ a natural propensity or skill of a specified kind: "his instinct for making the most of his chances" Similar talentgiftabilitycapacityfacilityfacultyaptitudeskillflairfeelgeniusknackbent
   • ▪ the fact or quality of possessing innate behaviour patterns: "instinct told her not to ask the question"

   adjective

   • 1. imbued or filled with (a quality, especially a desirable one): formal "these canvases are instinct with passion"

   Word Origin late Middle English (also in the sense ‘instigation, impulse’): from Latin instinctus ‘impulse’, from the verb instinguere, from in- ‘towards’ + stinguere ‘to prick’.

   Scrabble Points: 10

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishINSTINCT | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › instinctInstinct Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › instinct

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   instinct: [noun] a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity.

4. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishINSTINCT definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   An instinct is the natural tendency that a person has to behave or react in a particular way....a basic instinct for survival. American English: instinct / ˈɪnstɪŋkt /

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › instinctINSTINCT Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › instinct

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   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.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › instinctInstinct - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › instinct

   instinct: 1 n inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli “the spawning instinct in salmon” “altruistic instincts in social animals” Synonyms: inherent aptitude Types: id (psychoanalysis) primitive instincts and energies underlying all psychic activity Type of: aptitude inherent ability adj (followed by `with')deeply filled ...

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitioninstinct noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   by instinct Children do not know by instinct the difference between right and wrong. instinct (is) to do something His first instinct was to run away. instinct for (doing) something Horses have a well-developed instinct for fear. Even at school, he showed he had an instinct for (= was naturally good at) business. see also herd instinct, killer ...

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishinstinct noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

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   1 instinct (for something/for doing something) instinct (to do something) a natural tendency for people and animals to behave in a particular way, using the knowledge and abilities that they were born with rather than thought or training maternal instincts Children do not know by instinct the difference between right and wrong. His first instinct was to run away.

9. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryINSTINCT | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   INSTINCT meaning: the way someone naturally reacts or behaves, without having to think or learn about it: . Learn more.

10. www.britannica.com › dictionary › instinctInstinct Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

    www.britannica.com › dictionary › instinct

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    INSTINCT meaning: 1 : a way of behaving, thinking, or feeling that is not learned a natural desire or tendency that makes you want to act in a particular way; 2 : something you know without learning it or thinking about it

11. www.yourdictionary.com › instinctInstinct Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

    www.yourdictionary.com › instinct

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    Instinct definition: An innate capability or aptitude. (an) Inborn tendency to behave in a way characteristic of a species; natural, unlearned, predictable response to stimuli.