in ‧ stinct /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: instinctus , from instinguere 'to make someone wish to do something' ]
a natural tendency to behave in a particular way or a natural ability to know something, which is not learned ⇨ intuition
instinct for
Animals have a natural instinct for survival.
instinct to do something
the human instinct to form relationships
by instinct
Birds build nests by instinct.
sexual/maternal/survival instinct
Her instinct told her that something was wrong.
sb’s first instinct (=what someone feels like doing first when something happens)
His first instinct was to rush back to Isobel.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + instinct
▪ a deep/strong/powerful instinct
He bent down, obeying a deep instinct to protect himself from danger.
▪ a natural instinct
I followed my natural instinct to run away.
▪ somebody's first/initial instinct
His first instinct was to try and hide.
▪ somebody's gut instinct informal (=someone's first instinct)
Her gut instinct about Jimmy had been right.
▪ human instinct
It's a natural human instinct to comfort someone who is unhappy.
▪ animal instinct
It's animal instinct to attack the leader of the herd when his strength begins to fail.
▪ a basic instinct
The need to survive is the most basic instinct that we have.
▪ survival instinct (=an instinct to survive in a difficult situation)
Survival instinct told me to get up and run.
▪ killer instinct (=an instinct to kill, harm or defeat someone)
The team needs to develop the killer instinct.
▪ competitive instinct (=an instinct to compete against others and try to win)
He now channels his competitive instincts into his job.
▪ maternal instinct (=the instinct of a mother)
Kate's maternal instinct told her to pick the child up and comfort it.
▪ political instinct
The minister's shrewd political instincts didn't let him down.
▪ business/commercial instinct
I have faith in your business instinct.
■ verbs
▪ trust your instinct(s) ( also rely on your instincts ) (=believe that your instincts are correct)
I've trusted my instincts in the past and they've usually been right.
▪ go on your instinct(s) informal (=trust your instincts)
I just went on my instincts and refused his offer.
▪ follow/obey your instinct(s) (=do what your instinct tells you to do)
You should obey your instincts when dealing with strangers.
▪ have the instinct to do something
She had the instinct to see what made people unhappy.
▪ lack the instinct to do something
He lacked the instinct to attack another human being.
▪ an instinct tells somebody something
Every instinct told her that he was telling the truth.