instinctive
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or of the nature of instinct.
-
prompted by or resulting from or as if from instinct; natural; unlearned.
an instinctive will to survive.
- Synonyms:
- unpremeditated, intuitive, spontaneous
adjective
-
of, relating to, or resulting from instinct
-
conditioned so as to appear innate
an instinctive movement in driving
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of instinctive
First recorded in 1640–50; instinct 1 + -ive
Explanation
The adjective instinctive describes something you do without thinking about it. If you have an instinctive desire to help animals, you might automatically stop your car to pick up every stray dog you see. Something that is instinctive occurs naturally, the way babies know how to cry and suck as soon as they're born. Adults also have instinctive reflexes — like yawning, or the reflex that makes you kick your leg when the doctor hits your knee with a rubber mallet. Sometimes your instinctive reflexes can save your life — like when the "fight or flight" instinct warns you that danger is present.
Vocabulary lists containing instinctive
List 1
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 26–31
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"The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"When panicked, people fall back on their instinctive responses, and don't read small print in a dark and possibly smoke-filled cabin."
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
At the end of the show, a stunning reading of “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” revealed the instinctive ease with which she can navigate the sweet, syncopated phrasing of Dominican merengue.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
Our instinctive response to every bubble, at least for the last 25 years, has been austerity.
From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026
Although he wasn't on the scoresheet against Palace, Foden reminded spectators of his talents with an instinctive pass that was converted by Semenyo and wildly celebrated by his manager on the touchline.
From BBC ● May 13, 2026
Our instinctive reactions often have to compete with all kinds of other interests and emotions and sentiments.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
