instinctive

[ in-stingk-tiv ]

/ ɪnˈstɪŋk tɪv /

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.

Nearby words

instil, instill, instillation, instillator, instinct, instinctive, instinctively, instinctual, institute, instituter, institutes

Also in·stinc·tu·al

[in-stingk-choo-uhl] /ɪnˈstɪŋk tʃu əl/.

Origin of instinctive

First recorded in 1640–50; instinct¹ + -ive

SYNONYMS FOR instinctive

2 spontaneous, intuitive, unpremeditated.

Related forms

in·stinc·tive·ly, in·stinc·tu·al·ly, adverbhalf-in·stinc·tive, adjectivehalf-in·stinc·tive·ly, adverbnon·in·stinc·tive, adjective

non·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

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

Examples from the Web for instinctually

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

/ (ɪnˈstɪŋktɪv) /

adjective

of, relating to, or resulting from instinct

conditioned so as to appear innatean instinctive movement in driving

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.