instinctive
UK/ɪn'stɪŋ(k)tɪv/US/in'stiŋktiv/
TOEFLGREB2
Definitions
adj.
Done or felt automatically, without conscious thought; arising from instinct.
本能的，出于直觉的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedin-not, opposite of
+
-ivetending to, having the nature of
=instinctive
instinct (inner goad) + -ive (having the nature of) = arising from the inner goad rather than reasoning. An instinctive reaction happens before you can think — the impulse fires first.
Root stinct still carries 42 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.instinctive reaction本能反应
- 2.instinctive fear本能恐惧
- 3.instinctive response本能回应
- 4.purely instinctive纯粹出于本能
Example Sentences
- 1.
His instinctive reaction was to shield the child from the fall.
- 2.
There's an instinctive distrust of strangers in the village.