feel

[ feel ]

verb (used with object)

, felt, feel·ing.

1. to perceive or examine by touch.
2. to have a sensation of (something), other than by sight, hearing, taste, or smell:

   to feel a toothache.

3. to find or pursue (one's way) by touching, groping, or cautious moves.
4. to be or become conscious of.
5. to be emotionally affected by:

   to feel one's disgrace keenly.

6. to experience the effects of:

   The whole region felt the storm.

7. to have a particular sensation or impression of (often used reflexively and usually followed by an adjunct or complement):

   to feel oneself slighted.

8. to have a general or thorough conviction of; think; believe:

   I feel he's guilty.

verb (used without object)

, felt, feel·ing.

1. to have perception by touch or by any nerves of sensation other than those of sight, hearing, taste, and smell.
2. to make examination by touch; grope.
3. to perceive a state of mind or a condition of body:

   to feel happy; to feel well.

4. to have a sensation of being:

   to feel warm.

5. to make itself perceived or apparent; seem:

   How does it feel to be rich?

noun

1. a quality of an object that is perceived by feeling or touching:

   the soft feel of cotton.

2. a sensation of something felt; a vague mental impression or feeling:

   a feel of winter; a feel of sadness in the air.

3. the sense of touch:

   soft to the feel.

4. native ability or acquired sensitivity:

   to have a feel for what is right.

5. Informal. an act or instance of touching with the hand or fingers.
6. Slang: Vulgar. an act or instance of feeling up.
7. feels, Informal. strong, often positive feelings: I have so many feels right now.

   That song gives me feels.

   I have so many feels right now.

verb phrase

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 1. to feel sympathy for or compassion toward; empathize with:

      I know you're disappointed and upset, and I feel for you.

   2. Southeastern Pennsylvania and Maryland. to have a liking or desire for:

      If you feel for more pie, just help yourself.

4. Slang: Vulgar. to fondle or touch (someone) in a sexual manner.

feel

/ fiːl /

verb

1. to perceive (something) by touching
2. to have a physical or emotional sensation of (something)

   to feel heat

   to feel anger

3. tr to examine (something) by touch
4. tr to find (one's way) by testing or cautious exploration
5. copula to seem or appear in respect of the sensation given

   it feels warm

   I feel tired

6. to have an indistinct, esp emotional conviction; sense (esp in the phrase feel in one's bones )
7. intrfoll byfor to show sympathy or compassion (towards)

   I feel for you in your sorrow

8. to believe, think, or be of the opinion (that)

   he feels he must resign

9. slang.
   troften foll byup to pass one's hands over the sexual organs of
10. feel like
    to have an inclination (for something or doing something)

    I don't feel like going to the pictures

11. feel oneself or feel quite oneself
    to be fit and sure of oneself
12. 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

noun

1. the act or an instance of feeling, esp by touching
2. the quality of or an impression from something perceived through feeling

   the house has a homely feel about it

3. the sense of touch

   the fabric is rough to the feel

4. an instinctive aptitude; knack

   she's got a feel for this sort of work

Usage Note

When the verb feel is used in the sense "to think or believe," it typically implies believing or having an opinion on the basis of emotion or intuition, even in circumstances unsupported by much real evidence. Although some usage experts object, such use is well established in English and can be traced as far back as Middle English. When feel is used specifically to express a subjective impression, it is often used with as if, as though, or that and followed by a full sentence: I felt as if my world had come to an end. He feels as though it is always raining. I feel that things will get better now. More informally, feel can be used without as if/as though/that : I feel he's guilty. And a full sentence does not have to follow: I felt his answer to be impolite. In the same sense of "to think or believe," an alternative phrase feel like is found in informal or casual speech. This use of feel like typically expresses an opinion or emotional sentiment with a softened or tentative tone: I feel like nothing is getting done here. I feel like he is just too arrogant. Though increasingly common, use of the phrase feel like has been criticized as lazy thinking that ignores real evidence, while avoiding confrontation and debate.

Other Words From

• o·ver·feel verb overfelt overfeeling
• re·feel verb refelt refeeling

Word History and Origins

Origin of feel¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English felen, Old English fēlan; cognate with Old Saxon fōlian, German fühlen; akin to Old Norse falma “to grope”; fumble none

Word History and Origins

Origin of feel¹

Old English fēlan ; related to Old High German fuolen , Old Norse fālma to grope, Latin palma palm ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cop a feel, Slang: Vulgar. to touch another person's body sexually, often in a quick and surreptitious way.
2. feel like oneself, to be in one's usual frame of mind or state of health: Also feel oneself.

   She hasn't been feeling like herself since the accident.

3. feel like, Informal.
   1. to have a desire for; be favorably disposed to:

      I don't feel like going out tonight. Do you feel like a movie?

   2. to think; have the opinion (often used to soften the tone of discourse):

      I feel like this is the only solution in this case.

   3. to have a particular impression; believe (used to express emotional sentiments):

      I feel like she doesn't love me anymore.

4. feel no pain. pain ( def 5 ).

More idioms and phrases containing feel

• (feel) at home
• cop a feel
• get the feel of
• (feel) put upon
• feelings

Example Sentences

She is investigating ways to help people feel hopeful, inspired and compassionate about political challenges, since these emotions can motivate action without triggering stress and anxiety.

From Los Angeles Times

“When we got to the table on this one, I think his name was Bob or something, and he didn’t feel like a Bob,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

Elliot‘s work has been received differently around the world. “But this film, I feel, is a little bit more universal,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

“It was the first time we were able to touch that emotion. We’d been too busy telling the story to feel it.”

From Los Angeles Times

“This is the happiest moment of her life, and she needs to feel all the things that she carries with her throughout her life, that we all do, just disappear.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ambience
• atmosphere
• aura
• feeling
• impression
• mood
• quality
• sense
• touch