instinct
Translation
instinct, intuition, natural tendency
Examples
Birds build nests by instinct.
Birds build nests by instinct.
She has a good instinct for business.
She has a good instinct for business.
My first instinct was to run away.
My first instinct was to run away.
Grammar Patterns
by instinct naturally, without thinking. Birds build nests by instinct.
an instinct for ((sth.)) a natural ability for (sth.). She has a good instinct for business.
((sb.'s)) first instinct (sb.'s) immediate feeling. My first instinct was to run away.
Similar Words
Synonyms: intuition, gut feeling, sixth sense
Etymology
From Latin 'instinctus' (instigation, impulse), from 'instinguere' (to incite, impel). It shares the same root as 'instigate'.
Memory Tips
Think of an 'in-stinct' as an 'in-built' or 'in-stilled' feeling. It's something that pricks you from inside to act.