visceral

[ vis-er-uhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the viscera.
2. affecting the viscera.
3. of the nature of or resembling viscera.
4. characterized by or proceeding from instinct rather than intellect:

   a visceral reaction.

5. characterized by or dealing with coarse or base emotions; earthy; crude:

   a visceral literary style.

visceral

/ ˈvɪsərəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or affecting the viscera
2. characterized by intuition or instinct rather than intellect

Derived Forms

• ˈviscerally, adverb

Other Words From

• viscer·al·ly adverb
• non·viscer·al adjective
• un·viscer·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of visceral¹

First recorded in 1565–75; from Medieval Latin viscerālis, equivalent to viscer(a) ( viscera ) + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

Perhaps more than an actor raised outside of Belfast, Petticrew was able to understand on a visceral level what compelled Dolours to commit acts of terrorism.

From Los Angeles Times

You see it lurking in the cloud, you get glimpses, but we tried to make it mysterious and show this big visceral impact when it hit.

From Los Angeles Times

"You try to ignore it but it's a physical, visceral reaction."

From BBC

The Harris-Walz campaign seemed at first to leverage those more visceral forces effectively, but would not or could not follow through.

From Salon

Mr Naseem says he had a “visceral reaction” to what he saw.

From BBC

Related Words

• ingrained
• innate
• intuitive