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instinct
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/ˈɪnstɪŋkt/ 
| singular | instinct |
| plural | instincts |
- 1a natural tendency to behave in a particular way that people and animals are born with and that they obey without knowing why. For example the maternal instinct is a woman’s natural tendency to behave like a mother
the instinct of ducklings to follow their mother
instinct for:the instinct for survival
Collocations: instinct
▪ aggressive, animal, basic, maternal, natural, primitive, protective - 2a natural ability to know what to do in a particular situation
My first instinct was to turn and run.
Potential investors want to know that you’ve got strong entrepreneurial instincts.
trust/follow your instincts:It’s always best to trust your instincts.
instinct tells/warns you:Instinct told me that it would be unwise to return home.
Collocations: instinct
▪ follow, ignore, obey, trust
This is the British English definition of instinct. View American English definition of instinct.
Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.
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