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: sentiment, sensitivity, tenderness, 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. to be emotionally or sexually attracted to

adjective

1. sentient; sensitive

2. expressing or containing emotion

3. warm-hearted; sympathetic

Other Word Forms

• feelingly adverb
• feelingness noun
• nonfeeling adjective
• nonfeelingly adverb
• underfeeling 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

But feeling alone and stuck in New York City, she turns toward this place of cultural familiarity, where the imam counsels her that she’ll be rewarded for her obedience in her next life.

From Los Angeles Times

While Rocky moved away and thrived, Roman withered in inadequacy feeling abandoned.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think Democrats are going to want to avoid that feeling in ‘26 and ‘28,” he adds.

From Salon

While Jones said her characters’ experiences of shouldering undue responsibility and feeling trapped are foreign to her, she says she likes to jump in feet first when she’s met with a challenge.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’ll never forget the phone call. And we had such a great time on that first series, didn’t we? There was definitely a feeling of: We’re on to something really good here.”

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.