feel
feel
Feel (verb) means to become aware of something through the sense of touch. Example: “She felt the cold rain on her face.”
verb
1
To become aware of something through the sense of touch.
"She felt the cold rain on her face."
"He felt around in the dark for the light switch."
"You could feel the heat of the sun on your arms through the glass."
2
To experience an emotion or mental state.
"I feel nervous about the interview tomorrow."
"Whenever I hear that song, I feel happy and a little homesick."
"Do you ever feel lonely when you move to a new town?"
3
To believe or have an impression about something.
"She feels that the plan needs more work."
"I feel we should leave early to avoid the traffic."
"Many people feel that the town needs a bigger park."
noun
1
A general impression or atmosphere of something.
"The new café has a cozy, homey feel."
"The old house has a warm, friendly feel the moment you walk in."
"You can get a feel for the city just by walking around."
How to use feel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo sense through touch, to experience an emotion, or to have an opinion about something.
Common pairings
feel happy
feel about
get a feel for
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Word forms
- Plural
- feels
- Third person singular
- feels
- Past tense
- felt
- Archaic forms
- feelest, feltst, feltest, feeleth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You could _____ the heat of the sun on your arms through the glass.
Etymology
From Old English fēlan, "to feel," related to Dutch voelen and German fühlen.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for feel
See all rhymes for feel →Frequently asked questions
What does “feel” mean?
The word “feel” means to become aware of something through the sense of touch. In plain terms, to sense through touch, to experience an emotion, or to have an opinion about something.
How do you pronounce “feel”?
“Feel” is pronounced feel (/fil/ in IPA).
How do you use “feel” in a sentence?
Here is “feel” used in a sentence: “I feel nervous about the interview tomorrow.”
What is another word for “feel”?
Words with a similar meaning to “feel” include grope, handle and touch.
What is the opposite of “feel”?
The opposite of “feel” — its antonyms — is misfeel.
What part of speech is “feel”?
Depending on how it is used, “feel” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “feel” come from?
The word “feel” comes from Old English. From Old English fēlan, "to feel," related to Dutch voelen and German fühlen.
Is “feel” a common word?
“Feel” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between feel and touch?
To touch is the physical act of making contact with something, usually on purpose. To feel is to become aware of that contact through the sense of touch — the sensation it produces. You can touch something without paying attention, but feeling involves perceiving texture, temperature, or pressure. Touch is the action; feeling is the awareness.
Can 'feel' refer to emotions as well as touch?
Yes. Beyond physical touch, 'feel' commonly describes experiencing an emotion or state, as in 'I feel happy' or 'she felt nervous.' It can also express an opinion ('I feel we should wait') or an inner sensation ('I feel tired'). The touch-based meaning is just one of several everyday uses of the word.
What is an example of 'feel' used in a sentence?
In the touch sense: 'She reached into her pocket to feel for her keys,' or 'He could feel the rough bark of the tree.' The word often pairs with textures and temperatures — feeling the warmth of the sun, the softness of a blanket, or a cold draft slipping under the door.
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