adj.
Pronunciation: in- ' sti ŋ (k)-tiv
Function: adjective
Date: 15th century
1 : of, relating to, or being instinct
2 : prompted by natural instinct or propensity : arising spontaneously <an instinctive fear of innovation ― V. L. Parrington>
synonyms see SPONTANEOUS
– in · stinc · tive · ly adverb