feeling

[fee-ling]

noun

1. the function or the power of perceiving by touch.

2. physical sensation not connected with sight, hearing, taste, or smell.

   Deep tissue massage can involve both painful and pleasant feelings.

3. a particular physical sensation not connected with sight, hearing, taste, or smell.

   a feeling of warmth;

   a feeling of pain.

4. the general state of consciousness considered independently of particular sensations, thoughts, etc.

5. a consciousness or vague awareness.

   a feeling of inferiority.

6. an emotion or emotional perception or attitude.

   a feeling of joy;

   a feeling of sorrow.

   Synonyms: sentiment, sensitivity, tenderness, empathy, sympathy
   Antonyms: apathy

7. capacity for emotion, especially compassion.

   The charity staff have great feeling for the sufferings of others.

8. a sentiment; attitude; opinion.

   The general feeling was in favor of the proposal.

9. feelings, sensibilities; susceptibilities.

   A harsh reply could hurt her feelings.

10. fine emotional endowment.

11. (in music, art, etc.)

    1. emotion or sympathetic perception revealed by an artist in their work.

       Though elegant, it was a poem without feeling.

    2. the general impression conveyed by a work.

       Landscape paintings with a spacious feeling are very popular in small homes.

    3. sympathetic appreciation, as of music.

       The pianist was known for his ability to play with feeling.

adjective

1. sensitive; sentient.

   Synonyms: tender, emotional
   Antonyms: cold

2. readily affected by emotion; sympathetic.

   A feeling heart could not be unaffected by this tragic story.

   Synonyms: passionate, impassioned

3. indicating or characterized by emotion.

   The defendant's speech gave a feeling reply to the charge.

feeling

/ ˈfiːlɪŋ /

noun

1. the sense of touch

2. 1. the ability to experience physical sensations, such as heat, pain, etc

   2. the sensation so experienced

3. a state of mind

4. a physical or mental impression

   a feeling of warmth

5. fondness; sympathy

   to have a great deal of feeling for someone

6. an ability to feel deeply

   a person of feeling

7. a sentiment

   a feeling that the project is feasible

8. an impression or mood; atmosphere

   the feeling of a foreign city

9. an emotional disturbance, esp anger or dislike

   a lot of bad feeling about the increase in taxes

10. intuitive appreciation and understanding

    a feeling for words

11. sensibility in the performance of something

12. (plural) emotional or moral sensitivity, as in relation to principles or personal dignity (esp in the phrase hurt or injure the feelings of )

13. to be emotionally or sexually attracted to

adjective

1. sentient; sensitive

2. expressing or containing emotion

3. warm-hearted; sympathetic

Other Word Forms

• feelingly adverb
• feelingness noun
• nonfeeling adjective
• nonfeelingly adverb
• underfeeling noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of feeling¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English; feel ( def. ), -ing ¹ ( def. ), -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

This is when many women notice their periods becoming unpredictable - heavier, lighter, longer or shorter - and experience feelings or physical problems they haven't had before.

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The scam has left potential customers feeling afraid, Ms Newman added, as she noticed more people browsing her website without making orders for jewellery.

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Sports fans know well the feeling of cautious exuberance.

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The key is to make sure clients are feeling heard and that they’re getting what they want.

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But Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, described the cuts as "brutal", adding that staff had become "demoralised, exhausted and furious" and that "undervalued and poorly served" students were feeling the impact too.

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Related Words

• affection 
• appreciation 
• behavior 
• compassion 
• concern 
• culture 
• emotion 
• impression 
• intensity 
• passion 
• reaction 
• sensitivity 
• sentiment 
• spirit 
• sympathy 
• taste 
• understanding 
• warmth 

When To Use

What are other ways to say feeling?

A feeling is a particular sensation or an emotional perception or attitude. What’s the difference between feeling, emotion, passion, and sentiment? Find out on Thesaurus.com.