instinct

noun an-STAN Less Common

Usage Note

Instinct is pronounced with a silent final 't' — it ends in the nasal vowel of -ank. The phrase d'instinct ('by instinct, instinctively') is very common. Instinctif/instinctive is the adjective, and instinctivement is the adverb. L'instinct de survie ('survival instinct') is a fixed expression.

Examples

"Il a agi par instinct, sans réfléchir."

Natural Translation

He acted by instinct, without thinking.

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