definitions

instinctive

[ in-stingk-tiv ]
/ ɪnˈstɪŋk tɪv /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR instinctive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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.

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RELATED WORDS

naturally, intuitively

Nearby words

instil, instill, instillation, instillator, instinct, instinctive, institute, instituter, institutes, institution, institutional
Also in·stinc·tu·al [in-stingk-choo-uhl] /ɪnˈstɪŋk tʃu əl/.

Origin of instinctive

First recorded in 1640–50; instinct1 + -ive

Related forms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for instinctively

British Dictionary definitions for instinctively

instinctive

instinctual

/ (ɪnˈstɪŋktɪv) /

adjective

of, relating to, or resulting from instinct
conditioned so as to appear innatean instinctive movement in driving

Derived Forms

instinctively or instinctually, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012