Instinctive

/ɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Relating to or prompted by instinct; natural or automatic.

Her instinctive reaction was to protect her friend from harm.

Done or occurring without conscious thought or planning.

He had an instinctive understanding of the game, allowing him to strategize effortlessly.

Characterized by feelings or behaviors that are innate rather than learned.

The puppy's instinctive behavior to chase after the ball was adorable.

Based on an innate or inherent quality or sense.

His instinctive trust in others often led him to be taken advantage of.

From Latin 'instinctivus', from 'instinctus' meaning 'impulse, instinct'.

instinctive response

An immediate reaction based on instinct without conscious thought.

instinctive feeling

A sensation or intuition that arises spontaneously.

instinct

An innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior in animals in response to certain stimuli.

intuitive

Based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning.

A gut feeling.

I can’t explain it, but my gut feeling was instinctive.

To go with your first thought.

When in doubt, just do what feels right; follow your instinctive thought.