instinctive
gb/ɪnstˈɪŋktɪv/ us/ɪnstˈɪŋktɪv/
B2
English
ösztönös, veleszületett
B2
1
ösztönös
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s instinctive [reaction/response/decision/move/feeling]
Her instinctive reaction was to step back from the edge.
Ösztönös reakciója az volt, hogy hátralépett a peremtől.
He gave an instinctive answer before he had time to think.
Mielőtt még lett volna ideje gondolkodni, ösztönös választ adott.
My instinctive fear kicked in when I heard footsteps behind me.
Learner examples
I had an instinctive reaction to the noise.
Ösztönösen reagáltam a zajra.
It was an instinctive decision.
Ösztönös döntés volt.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *instinctive* where *deliberate* or *careful* is needed (e.g., for planned actions).
Meaning
done without conscious thought
Collocations
instinctive reaction
|instinctive response
|instinctive decision
|instinctive move
|instinctive fear
|instinctive dislike
|instinctive sense
|instinctive feeling
|instinctive impulse
|instinctive reply
Synonyms
automatic (Focuses on happening by itself, not thinking.)
|
intuitive (Emphasizes knowing or choosing without reasoning.)
|
immediate (Emphasizes how fast it happens.)
Antonyms
deliberate (Done after careful thought and intention.)
|
considered (Thought about carefully before acting.)
|
conscious (Done with awareness and attention.)
Themes
psychology
|emotions
|daily_life
|behavior
Definition
happening naturally, without thinking
Done or felt automatically and immediately, without conscious reasoning or planning.
C1
2
ösztönös
B2
Usage pattern:
instinctive [behavior/ability/understanding]
Some animals have an instinctive ability to find their way home.
Néhány állatnak ösztönös képessége van arra, hogy hazataláljon.
She has an instinctive understanding of how people feel.
Ösztönösen megérti, mit éreznek az emberek.
His instinctive caution kept him from taking unnecessary risks.
Learner examples
Birds have instinctive behaviors.
A madaraknak vannak ösztönös viselkedésformáik.
His instinctive skill surprised me.
Meglepett a veleszületett ügyessége.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *instinctive* (inborn) with *instinctual*; both are possible, but *instinctive* is more common in everyday use.
Meaning
natural and inborn, not learned
Collocations
instinctive behavior
|instinctive ability
|instinctive understanding
|instinctive kindness
|instinctive empathy
|instinctive drive
|instinctive urge
|instinctive skill
|instinctive caution
|instinctive sense of direction
Synonyms
innate (More formal; strongly means 'from birth'.)
|
inborn (Directly means present from birth.)
|
natural (Common and broad; can also mean 'not artificial'.)
Antonyms
learned (Gained through study, practice, or experience.)
|
trained (Developed through instruction and practice.)
Themes
psychology
|nature
|education
|behavior
Definition
part of someone’s nature; not learned
Based on instinct; natural and inborn rather than learned through training or experience.
Grammar
Dictionary form
instinctive
IPA
GB/ɪnstˈɪŋktɪv/
US/ɪnstˈɪŋktɪv/
Syllables & stress
in - stinct - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (stinct)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: instinctive
Word family
Core family
instinct
noun B1
instinctively
adverb B2
Advanced or less common
instinctual
adjective
instinctually
adverb
Expressions
an instinctive feel for
1/ən ɪnstˈɪŋktɪv fˈil fɚ/
fixed phrase
natural intuitive sense
a natural sense of how something works
Examples
- She has an instinctive feel for timing in comedy.
- Good editors have an instinctive feel for what readers want.
- He seems to have an instinctive feel for languages.
Learner examples
- She has an instinctive feel for music.
instinctive distrust of
1/ɪnstˈɪŋktɪv dɪstɹˈʌst əv/
fixed phrase
automatic lack of trust
not trusting someone immediately
Examples
- He had an instinctive distrust of anyone who asked too many questions.
- Her instinctive distrust of the offer turned out to be justified.
- There is an instinctive distrust of outsiders in the village.
Learner examples
- I felt an instinctive distrust of him.
instinctive reaction
1/ɪnstˈɪŋktɪv ɹiˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
automatic immediate response
a quick response without thinking
Examples
- My instinctive reaction to the loud bang was to cover my ears.
- Her instinctive reaction to criticism is to get defensive.
- His instinctive reaction to the dog was to freeze.
Learner examples
- My instinctive reaction was to run.
- Her instinctive reaction was to laugh.
instinctive response
1/ɪnstˈɪŋktɪv ɹɪspˈɑns/
fixed phrase
automatic response without thinking
a fast answer or action without thinking
Examples
- Her instinctive response was to say yes, then she reconsidered.
- Fear can trigger an instinctive response in the body.
- He apologized as an instinctive response to the tension.
Learner examples
- That was my instinctive response.
- His instinctive response surprised me.
instinctive understanding of
1/ɪnstˈɪŋktɪv ˌʌndɚstˈændɪŋ əv/
fixed phrase
natural immediate understanding
understanding something naturally
Examples
- She has an instinctive understanding of what motivates people.
- His instinctive understanding of the game made him a great coach.
- Children often have an instinctive understanding of fairness.
Learner examples
- She has an instinctive understanding of people.