in·stinct /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/ ●●○ noun [countableC, uncountableU] INSTINCTa natural tendency to behave in a particular way or a natural ability to know something, which is not learned 本能;直觉;天性 → intuitioninstinct for Animals have a natural instinct for survival. 动物有求生的自然本能。
instinct to do something the human instinct to form relationships 人类建立起相互关系的天性
by instinct Birds build nests by instinct. 鸟凭本能筑巢。
sexual/maternal/survival instinct 性/母性/求生的本能
Her instinct told her that something was wrong. 直觉告诉她有些不对劲。
somebody’s first instinct (=what someone feels like doing first when something happens) 某人的第一感觉 His first instinct was to rush back to Isobel. 他的第一直觉是赶快回到伊莎贝尔那儿。
n COLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + instinct a deep/strong/powerful instinctHe bent down, obeying a deep instinct to protect himself from danger.
a natural instinctI followed my natural instinct to run away.
somebody's first/initial instinctHis first instinct was to try and hide.
somebody's gut instinct informal (=someone's first instinct)Her gut instinct about Jimmy had been right.
human instinctIt's a natural human instinct to comfort someone who is unhappy.
animal instinctIt's animal instinct to attack the leader of the herd when his strength begins to fail.
a basic instinctThe need to survive is the most basic instinct that we have.
survival instinct (=an instinct to survive in a difficult situation)Survival instinct told me to get up and run.
killer instinct (=an instinct to kill, harm or defeat someone)The team needs to develop the killer instinct.
competitive instinct (=an instinct to compete against others and try to win)He now channels his competitive instincts into his job.
maternal instinct (=the instinct of a mother)Kate's maternal instinct told her to pick the child up and comfort it.
political instinctThe minister's shrewd political instincts didn't let him down.
business/commercial instinctI have faith in your business instinct.
verbstrust your instinct(s) (also rely on your instincts) (=believe that your instincts are correct)I've trusted my instincts in the past and they've usually been right.
go on your instinct(s) informal (=trust your instincts)I just went on my instincts and refused his offer.
follow/obey your instinct(s) (=do what your instinct tells you to do)You should obey your instincts when dealing with strangers.
have the instinct to do somethingShe had the instinct to see what made people unhappy.
lack the instinct to do somethingHe lacked the instinct to attack another human being.
an instinct tells somebody somethingEvery instinct told her that he was telling the truth.