feeling

The word “feeling” means an emotion or emotional state. In plain terms, an emotion, or physical sensation, or (as an adjective) showing deep emotion.

“Feeling” is pronounced FEE-lihng (/ˈfi.lɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “feeling” used in a sentence: “A feeling of relief washed over her when the plane landed safely.”

Depending on how it is used, “feeling” can be a noun and an adjective.

The word “feeling” comes from Middle English. From Middle English felynge, built from feel + the ending -ing.

“Feeling” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Feeling” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an emotion or emotional state.

An emotion is often described as an immediate, largely automatic response — a burst of fear or joy with physical signs. A feeling is the conscious, personal experience of that emotion once you become aware of it and interpret it. In short, emotions arise first, and feelings are how we notice them.

Feelings are usually grouped around a few core emotions: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, and disgust. From these come countless shades, such as contentment, loneliness, frustration, or excitement. Feelings can also be physical rather than emotional, like the feeling of warmth or hunger, though here the word means emotional states.

You cannot always stop a feeling from arising, but you can influence how you respond to it. Techniques like naming the feeling, pausing before reacting, and reframing a situation help people manage emotions rather than be ruled by them. So feelings are hard to prevent but very possible to regulate.

Joy is a clear example: the warm, uplifted state you experience after good news. Other everyday feelings include nervousness before an exam, relief when a worry passes, gratitude toward a friend, or sadness at a loss. Each is an emotional state you sense inwardly and can usually name.