feel
to perceive or examine by touch.
to have a sensation of (something), other than by sight, hearing, taste, or smell: to feel a toothache.
to find or pursue (one's way) by touching, groping, or cautious moves.
to be or become conscious of.
to be emotionally affected by: to feel one's disgrace keenly.
to experience the effects of: The whole region felt the storm.
to have a particular sensation or impression of (often used reflexively and usually followed by an adjunct or complement): to feel oneself slighted.
to have a general or thorough conviction of; think; believe: I feel he's guilty.
to have perception by touch or by any nerves of sensation other than those of sight, hearing, taste, and smell.
to make examination by touch; grope.
to perceive a state of mind or a condition of body: to feel happy; to feel well.
to have a sensation of being: to feel warm.
to make itself perceived or apparent; seem: How does it feel to be rich?
a quality of an object that is perceived by feeling or touching: the soft feel of cotton.
a sensation of something felt; a vague mental impression or feeling: a feel of winter; a feel of sadness in the air.
the sense of touch: soft to the feel.
native ability or acquired sensitivity: to have a feel for what is right.
Informal. an act or instance of touching with the hand or fingers.
Slang: Vulgar. an act or instance of feeling up.
feels, Informal. strong, often positive feelings: That song gives me feels. I have so many feels right now.
feel for,
to feel sympathy for or compassion toward; empathize with: I know you're disappointed and upset, and I feel for you.
Southeastern Pennsylvania and Maryland. to have a liking or desire for: If you feel for more pie, just help yourself.
feel out, to attempt to ascertain (the nature of a situation, someone's attitude, etc.) by indirect or subtle means: Why not feel out the other neighbors' opinions before you make a complaint.
feel up, Slang: Vulgar. to fondle or touch (someone) in a sexual manner.
feel up to, Informal. to feel or be able to; be capable of: He didn't feel up to going to the theater so soon after his recent illness.
Idioms about feel
cop a feel, Slang: Vulgar. to touch another person's body sexually, often in a quick and surreptitious way.
feel like, Informal.
to have a desire for; be favorably disposed to: I don't feel like going out tonight. Do you feel like a movie?
to think; have the opinion (often used to soften the tone of discourse): I feel like this is the only solution in this case.
to have a particular impression; believe (used to express emotional sentiments):I feel like she doesn't love me anymore.
feel like oneself, to be in one's usual frame of mind or state of health: She hasn't been feeling like herself since the accident. : Also feel oneself.
feel no pain. pain (def. 5).
Origin of feel
1usage note For feel
Other words from feel
- o·ver·feel, verb, o·ver·felt, o·ver·feel·ing.
- re·feel, verb, re·felt, re·feel·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for feel
/ (fiːl) /
to perceive (something) by touching
to have a physical or emotional sensation of (something): to feel heat; to feel anger
(tr) to examine (something) by touch
(tr) to find (one's way) by testing or cautious exploration
(copula) to seem or appear in respect of the sensation given: I feel tired; it feels warm
to have an indistinct, esp emotional conviction; sense (esp in the phrase feel in one's bones)
(intr foll by for) to show sympathy or compassion (towards): I feel for you in your sorrow
to believe, think, or be of the opinion (that): he feels he must resign
(tr often foll by up) slang to pass one's hands over the sexual organs of
feel like to have an inclination (for something or doing something): I don't feel like going to the pictures
feel oneself or feel quite oneself to be fit and sure of oneself
feel up to (usually used with a negative or in a question) to be fit enough for (something or doing something): I don't feel up to going out tonight
the act or an instance of feeling, esp by touching
the quality of or an impression from something perceived through feeling: the house has a homely feel about it
the sense of touch: the fabric is rough to the feel
an instinctive aptitude; knack: she's got a feel for this sort of work
Origin of feel
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with feel
In addition to the idioms beginning with feel
- feel bad
- feel blue
- feel for
- feel free
- feel in one's bones
- feel like
- feel like death
- feel like oneself
- feel like two cents
- feel no pain
- feel oneself
- feel one's oats
- feel one's way
- feel out
- feel out of place
- feel put upon
- feel someone up
- feel the pinch
- feel up to
also see:
- (feel) at home
- cop a feel
- get the feel of
- (feel) put upon
Also seefeelings.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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