feel for

1. Grope, reach for with one's hands, as in It was pitch dark, and I felt for the doorknob . [Early 1700s]

2. feel for someone . Sympathize with or feel sorry for someone, as in Tom was so upset that I felt for him . This usage was put as feel with by Shakespeare: “It resounds as if it felt with Scotland” ( Macbeth , 4:3). Both senses of feel for are present in the somewhat sarcastic I feel for you but I can't quite reach you , meaning “Too bad, but I don't really feel sorry for you.”

Example Sentences

Berio, who was arguably the greatest 20th century Italian composer after Puccini, had a special feel for the viola as a solo instrument.

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I had to develop a feel for how to grip the blade, pinched between my thumb and index finger, just above the handle for control.

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AI-enabled robots might one day be programmed to work on cars, but Hannah says mechanics develop a feel for the vibrations and sounds associated with certain problems—something a robot couldn’t do.

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The leads of the Netflix miniseries talked about the intrigue their characters feel for each other, their own experiences as public figures and the possibilities of a second season.

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You can’t really answer the question until you see the IPO prospectus and get a better feel for the business and financials.

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Related Words

• approach 
• attain 
• contact 
• end 
• go 
• join 
• lead 
• make 
• pass 
• stand 
• strike