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: tenderness, sentiment, sensitivity, 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. have feelings for
    to be emotionally or sexually attracted to

adjective

1. sentient; sensitive
2. expressing or containing emotion
3. warm-hearted; sympathetic

Derived Forms

• ˈfeelingly, adverb

Other Words From

• feeling·ly adverb
• feeling·ness noun
• non·feeling adjective
• non·feeling·ly adverb
• under·feeling 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

A source inside Trump's transition team told Vanity Fair last week that the president-elect’s staff was unaware of the allegations before picking Hegseth, leading to a feeling that they’d been caught off guard.

From Salon

We just come in and we know sometimes, "OK, stay away from them. They're not feeling so good today," and that's what you do.

From Salon

Unfortunately, this feeling is often associated with insoluble dietary fibers.

From Science Daily

When he crossed that threshold last week against Nebraska, Marks was feeling about as bad as he had all season.

From Los Angeles Times

Lewis Hamilton says he will "give it absolutely everything" for his final three races with Mercedes despite feeling like walking away after struggling badly in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

From BBC

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.