B2 adjective Neutre

instinct

/ˈɪn.stɪŋkt/

An innate, fixed pattern of behavior in animals or a natural, intuitive way of thinking and acting in humans that does not require learning. It refers to a powerful internal impulse that guides decisions or reactions without conscious reasoning.

Exemples

3 sur 5
1

My first instinct was to call for help when the fire started.

My immediate natural reaction was to seek assistance when the fire began.

2

The migratory instinct drives birds to fly south for the winter months.

The biological impulse for migration compels birds to travel south during winter.

3

If you aren't sure what to do, just trust your instinct.

If you are uncertain, simply rely on your inner feeling.

Famille de mots

Nom
instinct
Adverbe
instinctively
Adjectif
instinctive
Apparenté
instinctiveness
💡

Astuce mémo

Think of 'Instinct' as 'In-Stuck'—it is the behavior that is 'stuck in' you from the day you were born.

Quiz rapide

Even though she had never been in that situation before, her ________ told her to stay calm and wait for help.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : instinct

Exemples

1

My first instinct was to call for help when the fire started.

everyday

My immediate natural reaction was to seek assistance when the fire began.

2

The migratory instinct drives birds to fly south for the winter months.

formal

The biological impulse for migration compels birds to travel south during winter.

3

If you aren't sure what to do, just trust your instinct.

informal

If you are uncertain, simply rely on your inner feeling.

4

Researchers are studying whether the capacity for language is a human instinct or a cultural development.

academic

Scientists are investigating if language ability is an innate biological drive or a social construct.

5

Her sharp business instinct allowed her to predict the stock market crash before it happened.

business

Her keen natural ability in commerce enabled her to foresee the market decline.

Famille de mots

Nom
instinct
Adverbe
instinctively
Adjectif
instinctive
Apparenté
instinctiveness

Collocations courantes

gut instinct a strong intuitive feeling
survival instinct the natural urge to stay alive in danger
maternal instinct a mother's natural impulse to protect her child
follow your instinct to act based on how you feel rather than what you think
killer instinct a ruthless determination to succeed or win

Phrases Courantes

by instinct

acting naturally without thinking

animal instinct

base or primitive impulses

trust your instincts

believe in your own intuitive judgments

Souvent confondu avec

instinct vs intuition

Intuition is often an unconscious processing of information/experience, while instinct is a more biological, primal drive or reflex.

instinct vs extinct

Extinct means a species no longer exists, while instinct refers to natural behavior.

📝

Notes d'usage

Use 'instinct' as a noun to describe a 'gut feeling' or an innate behavior. It is frequently preceded by 'natural,' 'first,' or 'gut.'

⚠️

Erreurs courantes

Learners often use 'instinct' to describe a habit; however, a habit is a learned behavior, whereas an instinct is something you are born with.

💡

Astuce mémo

Think of 'Instinct' as 'In-Stuck'—it is the behavior that is 'stuck in' you from the day you were born.

📖

Origine du mot

Derived from the Latin 'instinctus', meaning 'incitement, impulse, or inspiration'.

Modèles grammaticaux

Countable noun Commonly followed by 'to' + infinitive (e.g., instinct to survive) Often used with the preposition 'by' (e.g., He knew by instinct)

Quiz rapide

Even though she had never been in that situation before, her ________ told her to stay calm and wait for help.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : instinct

Mots lis

overhospence

C1

Describing a quality of being excessively or intrusively hospitable to the point of making a guest feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable. It implies that the host's efforts to be welcoming have crossed a boundary into being burdensome or stifling.

excelership

C1

Describing a state of superior leadership and technical mastery, particularly within a corporate or organizational structure. It characterizes individuals or actions that demonstrate both exceptional performance and the ability to guide others toward high-level goals.

homosophful

C1

Describing a state of possessing shared wisdom or having a mindset that aligns with universal human understanding. It is often used to characterize individuals or groups that exhibit profound, common-sense insight or an intellectual harmony with their community.

abphotoion

C1

To remove or displace an ion from a molecular structure using concentrated light energy or radiation. It is a specialized term used in advanced physics and chemical engineering to describe the precise detachment of particles via photon interaction.

undertrudless

C1

To execute a series of tasks or navigate a complex system with a complete absence of resistance or friction. It implies bypassing the usual 'trudge' or difficulty associated with a process, often in a mechanical or systematic way.

prodentation

C1

Characterized by the forward projection or protrusion of teeth or tooth-like structures. It is a specialized term used primarily in anatomical, biological, or technical descriptions to indicate a feature that juts outward.

regratine

C1

Regratine refers to the historical trade practice of purchasing commodities, particularly food, at a market and reselling them in the same or a nearby market at an inflated price. It was traditionally considered a form of unethical profiteering or price manipulation in medieval and early modern economic systems.

prehabment

C1

The process of engaging in physical conditioning and strengthening exercises prior to a surgical procedure or a period of intense physical exertion. It is used to improve physiological resilience, reduce the risk of injury, and accelerate the subsequent recovery process.

anteregess

C1

A specialized term used primarily in academic and logical testing contexts to describe a preliminary stage of advancement or a forward-moving phase that precedes a primary event. It represents an initial step in a sequence that establishes the necessary conditions for further progress.

inclarive

C1

A noun referring to a rhetorical or logical construct that is intentionally broad yet lacks specific detail, often used to encompass various possibilities without committing to one. It describes a state where inclusion is prioritized over precision, leading to a calculated ambiguity.

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