feeling
FEE-lihng
Feeling (noun) means an emotion or emotional state. Example: “A feeling of relief washed over her when the plane landed safely.”
noun
1
An emotion or emotional state.
"A feeling of relief washed over her when the plane landed safely."
"He couldn't hide his feelings of disappointment."
"There was a strong feeling of excitement in the room before the results."
2
A sensation experienced through the sense of touch.
"She lost all feeling in her fingers from the cold."
"The soft feeling of the blanket against my skin was comforting."
"After the injection, I had no feeling in my lip for an hour."
adj
1
Showing or having strong emotional sensitivity.
"He gave a feeling, heartfelt speech at the memorial."
"She is a warm, feeling person who always notices when others are sad."
"His feeling reply showed how deeply the news had moved him."
How to use feeling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn emotion, or physical sensation, or (as an adjective) showing deep emotion.
Common pairings
hurt feelings
a feeling of dread
mixed feelings
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Word forms
- Plural
- feelings
- Comparative
- more feeling
- Superlative
- most feeling
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ of relief washed over her when the plane landed safely.
Etymology
From Middle English felynge, built from feel + the ending -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for feeling
peeling
reeling
fueling
dueling
kneeling
modeling
wheeling
yodeling
labeling
traveling
unfeeling
tunneling
See all rhymes for feeling →
Frequently asked questions
What does “feeling” mean?
The word “feeling” means an emotion or emotional state. In plain terms, an emotion, or physical sensation, or (as an adjective) showing deep emotion.
How do you pronounce “feeling”?
“Feeling” is pronounced FEE-lihng (/ˈfi.lɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “feeling” in a sentence?
Here is “feeling” used in a sentence: “A feeling of relief washed over her when the plane landed safely.”
What part of speech is “feeling”?
Depending on how it is used, “feeling” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “feeling” come from?
The word “feeling” comes from Middle English. From Middle English felynge, built from feel + the ending -ing.
Is “feeling” a common word?
“Feeling” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “feeling” have?
“Feeling” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an emotion or emotional state.
What is the difference between a feeling and an emotion?
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.
What are the main types of feelings?
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.
Can feelings be controlled?
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.
What is an example of a feeling?
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.
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