feeling

[ fee-ling ]
See synonyms for feeling on Thesaurus.com
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.

  1. a particular physical sensation not connected with sight, hearing, taste, or smell: a feeling of warmth;a feeling of pain.

  2. the general state of consciousness considered independently of particular sensations, thoughts, etc.

  3. a consciousness or vague awareness: a feeling of inferiority.

  4. an emotion or emotional perception or attitude: a feeling of joy;a feeling of sorrow.

  5. capacity for emotion, especially compassion: The charity staff have great feeling for the sufferings of others.

  6. a sentiment; attitude; opinion: The general feeling was in favor of the proposal.

  7. feelings, sensibilities; susceptibilities: A harsh reply could hurt her feelings.

  8. fine emotional endowment.

  9. (in music, art, etc.)

    • emotion or sympathetic perception revealed by an artist in their work: Though elegant, it was a poem without feeling.

    • the general impression conveyed by a work: Landscape paintings with a spacious feeling are very popular in small homes.

    • sympathetic appreciation, as of music: The pianist was known for his ability to play with feeling.

adjective
  1. readily affected by emotion; sympathetic: A feeling heart could not be unaffected by this tragic story.

  1. indicating or characterized by emotion: The defendant's speech gave a feeling reply to the charge.

Origin of feeling

1
First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English; see origin at feel, -ing1, -ing2

Other words for feeling

Opposites for feeling

Other words from feeling

  • feel·ing·ly, adverb
  • feel·ing·ness, noun
  • non·feel·ing, adjective
  • non·feel·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·der·feel·ing, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use feeling in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for feeling

feeling

/ (ˈfiːlɪŋ) /


noun
  1. the sense of touch

    • the ability to experience physical sensations, such as heat, pain, etc

    • the sensation so experienced

  1. a state of mind

  2. a physical or mental impression: a feeling of warmth

  3. fondness; sympathy: to have a great deal of feeling for someone

  4. an ability to feel deeply: a person of feeling

  5. a sentiment: a feeling that the project is feasible

  6. an impression or mood; atmosphere: the feeling of a foreign city

  7. an emotional disturbance, esp anger or dislike: a lot of bad feeling about the increase in taxes

  8. intuitive appreciation and understanding: a feeling for words

  9. sensibility in the performance of something

  10. (plural) emotional or moral sensitivity, as in relation to principles or personal dignity (esp in the phrase hurt or injure the feelings of)

  11. have feelings for to be emotionally or sexually attracted to

adjective
  1. sentient; sensitive

  2. expressing or containing emotion

  1. warm-hearted; sympathetic

Derived forms of feeling

  • feelingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012