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

“It’s becoming a real possibility,” one source said; “The general feeling is Pete hasn’t been honest,” said the other.

From Salon

She said: "The reason we wanted these sessions was to build Elen’s  self confidence and it did the absolute opposite in terms of feeling rejected, or not good enough, or just not important enough."

From BBC

This was in marked contrast to the main clock in the brain, plus feelings of sleepiness and alertness, which had not recovered within 5 days of the 5-hour time delay.

From Science Daily

This season, there is a feeling he is responding to a double challenge.

From BBC

On the other hand, “feelings of depression are demobilizing and take you out of the political system,” said Ojeda, author of “The Sad Citizen: How Politics is Depressing and Why it Matters.”

From Los Angeles Times

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.