HOW TO PRONOUNCE
instinct
/ˈɪnstɪŋkt/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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Keep the final ng-k-t sequence.
The first syllable is strongest. The ending has the ng sound in sing followed by k and t; do not turn those final consonants into extra syllables.
2 syllables · Stress on syllable 1
TRY SAYING
“Her first instinct was to help.”
APG practice sentence · CC BY-SA 4.0
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗What does instinct mean?
noun
- A natural or inherent impulse or behaviour.
- An intuitive reaction not based on rational conscious thought.
More meanings (1)
adjective
- (archaic) Imbued, charged (with something).
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈɪnstɪŋkt/
Pronunciation used in the listening tip.
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
It was unexpected youth, surging up anew after its temporary check, and bringing with it hope, and the invincible instinct towards self-delight.
Winterbourne was impatient to see her again, and he was vexed with himself that, by instinct, he should not appreciate her justly.
More book examples (3)
It was now a religious instinct, and she was almost a fanatic with him, because she loved him, or had loved him.
In Carrie—as in how many of our worldlings do they not?—instinct and reason, desire and understanding, were at war for the mastery.
Intelligence and instinct being common, then, though in different degrees, to animals and man, what is the distinguishing characteristic of the latter?