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

• feeling
• chord
• sense

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

If conflicts are neatly resolved or avoided altogether, if every emotion is met with perfect affirmation, children may lose the opportunity to practice one of the most important developmental skills: learning to connect with people who are not programmed to go along with them. —Marc Fernandez, IEEE Spectrum, 21 Aug. 2025

This con was designed to bypass human logic and hijack human emotion. —Michael Cannivet, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

His live set felt like a celebration of his 35-year Nashville legacy, chosen and served like a delightful, metaphorical smorgasbord of powerful emotions. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025

The film, shot in Canada on an iPhone, is charged with emotion and harsh consequences of trying to live on one’s own terms. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for emotion

• commotion
• demotion
• devotion
• laotian
• promotion
• locomotion
• lotion
• notion
• ocean
• potion

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