natural instinct

collocation in English

meaningsofnaturalandinstinct

These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withinstinct.
natural
adjective
uk
/ˈnætʃ.ər.əl/
us
/ˈnætʃ.ɚ.əl/
as found in nature and not involving anything made or done ...
See more atnatural
instinct
noun[C or U]
uk
/ˈɪn.stɪŋkt/
us
/ˈɪn.stɪŋkt/
the way people or animals naturally react or behave, without having to think or learn ...
See more atinstinct

(Definition ofnaturalandinstinctfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)

Examplesofnatural instinct

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Reclaiming lost land was a principal goal for policymakers, but does that reflect nationalism or simply thenaturalinstinctof rulers-anywhere and at all times?
From theCambridge English Corpus
That is anaturalinstinct.
From theCambridge English Corpus
That is part of people'snaturalinstinctabout what is just and sensible.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Such a condition, which strainsnaturalinstincttoo severely, produces either listlessness or destructiveness.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
That is anaturalinstinctof people; it is a right instinct of people.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
One'snaturalinstinctis to get the invaders out, but it is much easier said than done.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Hisnaturalinstinctis to go to the town.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is anaturalinstinctwith man to give way to the entreaty of women.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is anaturalinstinctto say that it will look bad for discipline if the decision of the chief office is reversed.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Well, that is anaturalinstinct, but it is not one that we can afford to indulge.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
And thenaturalinstinctof a dog, which is that of a hunter, is developed, so that the animal becomes a menace.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
When the law book is missing, itsnaturalinstinctshould be to get it written quickly.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
One'snaturalinstinctis to do something in the big style.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I fully understand thenaturalinstinctto fight off a threat to one's home.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
They will be helped in this patriotic conversion by theirnaturalinstinctto lower their own taxes.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
We should follow thatnaturalinstinctand respond to the new politics.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Temptation which is anaturalinstinctis not necessarily wrong.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I accept entirely that, as a matter of course andnaturalinstinct, firefighters would want to respond if there was a threat to life.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
But on this occasion he ought really to have repressed hisnaturalinstinctbecause this is a somewhat serious matter.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Want to learn more?
Go to the definition ofnatural
Go to the definition ofinstinct
See other collocations withinstinct