Words / B2

INST-ingkt/ˈɪnstɪŋkt/

Instinct is a natural tendency to act without thinking: herd instinct; on instinct. Intuition is close but more about a felt judgement. Herd instinct is not a sampling method. Biology and psychology. Do not call a revised essay plan instinct if it was taught.

Meaning

A natural tendency to behave in a particular way without thinking.

Examples

• “Herd instinct is not a method; justify the sampling frame.”
• “The goalkeeper dived on instinct, which is the sport sense.”

Good to know

on instinct; herd / survival instinct. Close: intuition. Adjective: instinctive. Biology, sport, and essays on behaviour. Innate, not trained.

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