[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/instinct/)

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# instinct

noun (an instinct, instincts; instinct — uncountable)

«instinct» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A natural way of behaving that an animal or person is born with and does not need to learn (Birds build nests by instinct). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/instinct/#m1)
2. A strong feeling or sense about what is true or what to do, without thinking it through (trust your instinct). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/instinct/#m2)
3. A natural ability or talent (an instinct for music). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/instinct/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science, instinct explains animal behaviour: spiders spin webs, birds migrate, baby turtles head to the sea, babies grasp fingers — all without being taught. Learned behaviour is the opposite. In safety lessons: if something or someone feels wrong (the «uh-oh» feeling), trust your instinct, get away and tell a trusted adult. Phrases: by instinct, survival instinct, gut instinct, trust your instincts, instinctive.

### Examples

- Spiders spin webs by instinct. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/instinct/#x1)
- Baby turtles go towards the sea by instinct. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/instinct/#x2)
- My instinct told me something was wrong, so I left. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/instinct/#x3)
- Trust your instincts if a stranger makes you feel uncomfortable. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/instinct/#x4)
- A cat's instinct is to chase things that move. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/instinct/#x5)
- She has a good instinct for which questions to ask. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/instinct/#x6)
- Survival instinct made the deer run. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/instinct/#x7)
- In his excitement he had forgotten the river, and it was not till the cold water touched his feet that he stood still by instinct. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/instinct/#x8)

### Note

Countable and uncountable: «by instinct» or «her instincts». Adjective: instinctive. Science: instinct (born with) vs learned behaviour (learned from experience or being taught).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «instinct» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/instinct/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«instinct» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/instinct.html) on Mova free.