Is « instinct » masculine or feminine?

« instinct » is masculine. You say l'instinct.

Article forms

With the definite article l'instinct
With the indefinite article un instinct
With the partitive article de l'instinct

Plural

The plural is instincts (les instincts). A noun keeps its gender in the plural; only the article stops showing it.

Common questions

Is « instinct » masculine or feminine?

« instinct » is masculine. You say l'instinct.

« l'instinct » hides the gender. Is « instinct » masculine or feminine?

It is masculine. The article shortens to « l'instinct » for both genders, but you say un instinct, not une instinct, and adjectives take the masculine form.


Check another word, or read the complete guide to French noun gender.