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instinctive

[in-stingk-tiv]
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adjective
  1. of, relating to, or of the nature of instinct.
  2. prompted by or resulting from or as if from instinct; natural; unlearned: an instinctive will to survive.
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Also in·stinc·tu·al [in-stingk-choo-uh l] /ɪnˈstɪŋk tʃu əl/.

Origin of instinctive

First recorded in 1640–50; instinct1 + -ive
Related formsin·stinc·tive·ly, in·stinc·tu·al·ly, adverbhalf-in·stinc·tive, adjectivehalf-in·stinc·tive·ly, adverbnon·in·stinc·tive, adjectivenon·in·stinc·tive·ly, adverbnon·in·stinc·tu·al, adjectivenon·in·stinc·tu·al·ly, adverbsem·i-in·stinc·tive, adjectivesem·i-in·stinc·tive·ly, adverbun·in·stinc·tive, adjectiveun·in·stinc·tive·ly, adverbun·in·stinc·tive·ness, noun

Synonyms

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2. spontaneous, intuitive, unpremeditated.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for instinctually

Historical Examples

  • The fact that we instinctually speak of a sweet voice, is another witness.

    The Continental Monthly, Vol. 6, No 4, October, 1864

    Various

British Dictionary definitions for instinctually

instinctive

instinctual

adjective
  1. of, relating to, or resulting from instinct
  2. conditioned so as to appear innatean instinctive movement in driving
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Derived Formsinstinctively 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

Word Origin and History for instinctually

instinctive

adj.

1610s (implied in instinctively), from Latin instinct-, past participle stem of instinguere (see instinct) + -ive. Related: Instinctiveness.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper