emotion

noun

emo·​tion i-ˈmō-shən 

1

a

: a conscious mental reaction (such as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body

b

: a state of feeling

c

: the affective aspect of consciousness : feeling

2

a

: excitement

b

obsolete : disturbance

Synonyms

• chord
• feeling
• passion
• sentiment

Choose the Right Synonym for emotion

feeling, emotion, affection, sentiment, passion mean a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation.

feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it.

the feelings that once moved me are gone

emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses.

the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence

affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.

a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.

her feminist sentiments are well known

passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

Examples of emotion in a Sentence

a display of raw emotion

The defendant showed no emotion when the verdict was read.

She was overcome with emotion at the news of her friend's death.

Recent Examples on the Web

This process contributes to emotional regulation and helps children develop coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and other difficult emotions. —Children’s Institute, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024

Banks is a master of mastery: some of his best descriptions are not of emotions or thoughts, as with so many contemporary novelists, but skills and trades. —Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2024

From magnetic building tiles and sorting games to toys that promote imaginative play and communicating emotions, these 15 educational toys were big hits in her classroom—and now my daughter loves them, too. —Quincy Bulin, Parents, 16 Apr. 2024

That hasn't stopped the project from stirring up a lot of emotions in Law. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024

The episode kept Natalie in the spotlight and in her emotions. —Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024

However, these can indicate that stress affects one’s ability to regulate emotions. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 16 Apr. 2024

His dramatic rendering of Neruda’s text mixed a compelling range of emotions with technical and stylistic virtuosity. —Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2024

He was overcome with emotion at the thought of his comparatively quiet life in Texas changing. —Jordan Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from emouvoir to stir up, from Old French esmovoir, from Latin emovēre to remove, displace, from e- + movēre to move

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Kids Definition

emotion

noun

emo·​tion i-ˈmō-shən 

1

: strong feeling : excitement

2

: a mental reaction (as anger or fear) marked by strong feeling and usually causing physical effects

Medical Definition

emotion

noun

emo·​tion i-ˈmō-shən 

1

: the affective aspect of consciousness

2

: a state of feeling

3

: a conscious mental reaction (as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body compare affect

emotional

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

emotionality

-ˌmō-shə-ˈnal-ət-ē 

noun

plural emotionalities

emotionally

-ˈmō-shnə-lē, -shən-ᵊl-ē 

adverb