instinct

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 →
2. A strong feeling or sense about what is true or what to do, without thinking it through (trust your instinct). tree →
3. A natural ability or talent (an instinct for music). tree →

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 →
• Baby turtles go towards the sea by instinct. tree →
• My instinct told me something was wrong, so I left. tree →
• Trust your instincts if a stranger makes you feel uncomfortable. tree →
• A cat's instinct is to chase things that move. tree →
• She has a good instinct for which questions to ask. tree →
• Survival instinct made the deer run. tree →
• 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 →

Note

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