instinct
/ˈɪnstɪŋkt/
CEFR level B2Topic NatureWord #3896 in the learning path
本能；天性
Definitions
n. A natural tendency to behave without learning or conscious thought.
本能；天性
n. A feeling about something that does not involve conscious reasoning.
直觉
Example
By instinct, the newborn kitten searched for its mother.
刚出生的小猫本能地寻找妈妈。
Although instinct can guide rapid decisions, public health policies should primarily rely on reliable scientific evidence.
尽管直觉可以引导快速决策，公共卫生政策仍应主要依据可靠的科学证据。
Collocations
- survival instinct
- by instinct
- trust your instincts
- an instinct for
Word family
- instinctive (adj.)
- instinctively (adv.)
- instinctual (adj.)
Synonyms
- intuition
- gut feeling
Usage tip
instinct常指先天本能；intuition偏指直觉判断。
FAQ
- What does instinct mean?
- A natural tendency to behave without learning or conscious thought. A feeling about something that does not involve conscious reasoning.
- How is instinct pronounced?
- UK /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/, US /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/. Use the audio buttons above to listen.
