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instinctive

 - 3 dictionary results

in⋅stinc⋅tive

  [in-stingk-tiv]
Use instinctive in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of, pertaining 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.
Also, in⋅stinc⋅tu⋅al  [in-stingk-choo-uhl] .

Origin:
1640–50; instinct 1 + -ive

Related forms:
in⋅stinc⋅tive⋅ly, in⋅stinc⋅tu⋅al⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
2. spontaneous, intuitive, unpremeditated.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To instinctive
in·stinc·tive   (ĭn-stĭngk'tĭv)   
adj.  

  1. Of, relating to, or prompted by instinct.

  2. Arising from impulse; spontaneous and unthinking: an instinctive mistrust of bureaucrats.

in·stinc'tive·ly adv.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean derived from or prompted by a natural tendency or impulse: an instinctive fear of snakes; instinctual behavior; an intuitive perception; visceral revulsion. See Also Synonyms at spontaneous.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: in·stinc·tive
Pronunciation: in-'sti[ng](k)-tiv
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or being instinct
2 : derived from or prompted by instinct instinctive fear> —in·stinc·tive·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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