instinctive

[ in-stingk-tiv ]
/ ɪnˈstɪŋk tɪv /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR instinctive ON THESAURUS.COM

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.
Also in·stinc·tu·al [in-stingk-choo-uhl] /ɪnˈstɪŋk tʃu əl/.

Origin of instinctive

First recorded in 1640–50; instinct1 + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM instinctive

Words nearby instinctive

instil, instill, instillation, instillator, instinct, instinctive, institute, instituter, institutes, institution, institutional

Words related to instinctive

ingrained, innate, intuitive, impulsive, inherent, natural, visceral, spontaneous, accustomed, congenital, habitual, inborn, instinctual, intrinsic, involuntary, knee-jerk, mechanical, native, normal, regular

Example sentences from the Web for instinctive

British Dictionary definitions for instinctive

instinctive

instinctual

/ (ɪnˈstɪŋktɪv) /

adjective

of, relating to, or resulting from instinct
conditioned so as to appear innate an instinctive movement in driving

Derived forms of instinctive

instinctively or instinctually, adverb