instinct
/ˈɪnstɪŋkt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t/ (ame, mw)
instinct — noun
- instinctsingular
- instinctsplural
1. a natural ability or tendency that makes a person or animal react or act in a pa
a natural ability or tendency that makes a person or animal react or act in a particular way without needing to think or be taught
When the fire alarm rang, Ilan's first instinct was to head for the nearest exit.
'instinct + to-infinitive' showing natural impulse
Without any training, Isabela's instinct told her how to calm the frightened horse.
Naoko trusted her instinct and chose the winding path instead of the main road.
A mother bear's protective instinct drives her to guard her cubs from any threat.
Quan's business instinct warned him the deal was too good to be true.
- intuition
more about a feeling or knowing that arises without reasoning; less about inborn biological behaviour
- impulse
a sudden, strong urge to act; less permanent and less innate than instinct
- gut feeling
informal; a strong personal sense about a situation without clear reasons
- reasoning
the process of thinking through facts and logic, the opposite of acting by instinct
- learned behaviour
actions acquired through experience or training rather than inborn
文法句型
instinct + to-infinitive
possessive + instinct
instinct + for + noun
用法筆記
Instinct can be countable (an instinct, the instinct) or uncountable (by instinct). The possessive form is very common: my instinct, her instinct, a cat's instinct. Frequently modified by adjectives such as natural, basic, strong, protective, maternal, or gut.
常見錯誤
instinct — adjective
- instinctpositive
- more instinctcomparative
- most instinctsuperlative
1. always used after 'be' with 'with'; describes something that is deeply filled wi
always used after 'be' with 'with'; describes something that is deeply filled with a particular quality, feeling, or atmosphere, as though the quality has soaked into it entirely
The garden was instinct with the sweet smell of jasmine after the evening rain.
'instinct with' + sensory quality (smell)
Christopher's final novel was instinct with the fears and hopes of a society in crisis.
Ayana's voice was instinct with a quiet joy as she described her childhood home.
The old theatre was instinct with the echoes of a thousand long-forgotten performances.
- filled with
much more common and neutral in register; not restricted to literary use
- imbued with
similar formality; suggests the quality has been deliberately or thoroughly impressed
- permeated with
suggests complete diffusion through every part; slightly more physical than instinct with
- devoid of
completely lacking a quality; the opposite of being full of it
文法句型
be + instinct + with + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is always predicative — it cannot come before a noun (❌ 'an instinct garden'). It must be followed by 'with.' The register is formal and literary; you will find it in novels, essays, and criticism far more often than in speech. The construction 'be + instinct with + [abstract noun]' is the only grammatical pattern.