instinct
in|stinct /'ɪnstɪŋkt/ (instincts)
1 [N-VAR]
Instinct is the natural tendency that a person or animal has to behave or react in a particular way.
I didn't have as strong a maternal instinct as some other mothers...
He always knew what time it was, as if by instinct.
2 [N-COUNT] oft N for n/-ing, N to-inf
If you have an instinct for something, you are naturally good at it or able to do it.
Farmers are increasingly losing touch with their instinct for managing the land...
= aptitude
3 [N-VAR] usu with poss, oft N to-inf
If it is your instinct to do something, you feel that it is right to do it.
I should've gone with my first instinct, which was not to do the interview...
4 [N-VAR] oft N that
Instinct is a feeling that you have that something is the case, rather than an opinion or idea based on facts.
He seems so honest and genuine and my every instinct says he's not.
= intuitionkill|er in|stinct (killer instincts)
[N-VAR]
If you say that a sports player or politician has the killer instinct, you admire them for their toughness and determination to succeed.
He quit the sport when he realised he didn't have the killer instinct.
1 [N-VAR]
Instinct is the natural tendency that a person or animal has to behave or react in a particular way.
I didn't have as strong a maternal instinct as some other mothers...
He always knew what time it was, as if by instinct.
2 [N-COUNT] oft N for n/-ing, N to-inf
If you have an instinct for something, you are naturally good at it or able to do it.
Farmers are increasingly losing touch with their instinct for managing the land...
= aptitude
3 [N-VAR] usu with poss, oft N to-inf
If it is your instinct to do something, you feel that it is right to do it.
I should've gone with my first instinct, which was not to do the interview...
4 [N-VAR] oft N that
Instinct is a feeling that you have that something is the case, rather than an opinion or idea based on facts.
He seems so honest and genuine and my every instinct says he's not.
= intuitionkill|er in|stinct (killer instincts)
[N-VAR]
If you say that a sports player or politician has the killer instinct, you admire them for their toughness and determination to succeed.
He quit the sport when he realised he didn't have the killer instinct.