feel

1 of 2

verb

ˈfēl 

felt ˈfelt  ; feeling

transitive verb

1

a

: to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality

She felt the fabric to see if it was wool.

b

: to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles)

He felt a sudden pain in his leg.

2

a

: to undergo passive experience of

continually felt the resentment of his competitors

b

: to have one's sensibilities markedly affected by

felt the insult deeply

3

: to ascertain by cautious trial

—usually used with out

feeling out the sentiments of their neighbors on the subject of school improvements

4

a

: to be aware of by instinct or inference

feel trouble brewing

b

: believe, think

say what you really feel

5

US slang : to understand (someone) : to know how (someone) feels

Yeah, I feel you on that. I fall asleep every time I'm in the car as well.

—Scott Sugarman

When you buckle your chinstrap up, it's with a purpose, dog! Do you feel me?

—Eric Berry

intransitive verb

1

a

: to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation

lost the ability to feel in his fingertips

b

: to search for something by using the sense of touch

She felt in her purse for her keys.

2

a

: to be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, or physical condition

I feel sick.

b

: to have a marked sentiment or opinion

feels strongly about it

3

: seem

it feels like spring today

4

: to have sympathy or pity

I feel for you

see also:

feel like

feel

2 of 2

noun

1

: sensation, feeling

I love the feel of having a paperback to take with me and mark up—in my mind, nothing matches their ease and pleasure.

—Veronica Esposito

2

: the sense of touch

… the fiber manufacturers have developed a way to make the yarn really, really soft to the feel.

—Chris Green, quoted in Florida Today (Brevard County, Florida)

3

a

: the quality of a thing as imparted through or as if through touch

Cotton is … a natural fabric with a smooth feel.

—Julia Yoo

b

: typical or peculiar quality or atmosphere

I hung a sheet behind the desk in my room to try to give it the feel of an office …

—Melissa Chadburn

also : an awareness of such a quality or atmosphere

On my first day in the city, I went walking for a few hours to get a feel for the place …

—Garnette Cadogan

4

: intuitive knowledge or ability

It took time for the shortstop to reclaim his natural feel for the game.

—Alex Speier

5

feels plural, informal : emotions, feelings

The visual … gave us nostalgic feels.

—Jennifer Ford

—usually used with the

This song is so nostalgic for me! It gives me all the feels [=makes me feel emotional] …

—Tarriona "Tank" Ball

Many longtime viewers admitted the premiere episodes hit them right in the feels.

—Erica Gerald Mason

Synonyms of feel

Verb

• sense
• see
• smell
• perceive
• notice
• hear

Noun

• feeling
• sense

Examples of feel in a Sentence

Verb

He felt a sudden pain in his leg.

I could feel the warmth of the sun.

I felt someone tap my shoulder.

Do you feel a draft?

She felt the fabric to see if it was wool.

Your ribs are bruised, but I don't feel any broken bones.

Noun

the feel of old leather

Although the table is brand-new, it has the look and feel of an antique.

He liked the feel of the sun on his face.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

From cushioned walking sneakers to sleek slip-ons and foldable flats, the brand boasts arch-supporting insoles enhanced with anti-odor technology to keep feet feeling fresh and comfortable all day long. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026

Following the recent shooting, city officials have begun installing new security cameras, though many residents feel the action is long overdue. —Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2026

Noun

Made from 99 percent cotton, these soft jeans are designed to have a live-in feel. —Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026

And their meeting for the conference championship had the same feel as the first two in the trilogy. —Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English felen, from Old English fēlan; akin to Old High German fuolen to feel, Latin palpare to caress

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing feel

• by feel
• check/take/feel someone's pulse
• cop a feel
• feel bad
• feel compelled
• feel constrained
• feel cruddy
• feel crummy
• feel for
• feel free
• feel-good
• feel left out
• feel like
• feel like oneself
• feel/look like something the cat brought/dragged/drug in
• feel lousy
• feel no pain
• feel one's age
• feel one's best
• feel one's ears burning
• feel one's oats
• feel one's way
• feel out
• feel sick
• feel someone's pain
• feel sorry for oneself
• feel strongly
• feel the heat/cold
• feel the need
• feel the pinch
• feel up
• know/feel in one's bones
• look/feel like a million dollars/bucks
• make someone feel (right) at home

Rhymes for feel

• beal
• chiel
• ciel
• creel
• deal
• diel
• eel
• feil
• heal
• heel
• keel
• kneel

Kids Definition

feel

1 of 2 verb

ˈfēl 

felt ˈfelt  ; feeling

1

a

: to sense through direct contact

especially : touch entry 1 sense 1

b

: to examine or test by touching : handle

2

a

: experience entry 2

b

: to suffer from

3

: to discover by trying carefully

—often used with out

4

a

: to be aware of

feel trouble brewing

b

: to be conscious of a physical or mental state

feel happy

feel sick

c

: believe sense 5, think

5

: to search for something with the fingers

6

: to seem especially to the touch

feels rough

7

: to have sympathy or pity

I feel for you

feel

2 of 2 noun

1

: the sense of touch

2

: sensation sense 1c, feeling

3

: the quality of a thing as indicated through touch

4

: intuitive knowledge or ability

a feel for languages

Medical Definition

feel

1 of 2 verb

ˈfē(ə)l 

felt ˈfelt  ; feeling

transitive verb

1

: to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality

felt the compress to see if it was wet

2

: to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles)

intransitive verb

1

: to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation

2

: to search for something by using the sense of touch

feel

2 of 2 noun

1

: the perception of physical sensations

especially : the sense of touch

2

: sensation, feeling