Entry Word: feeling

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation <an overall feeling of happiness about their new home>

Synonyms emotion, passion, sentiment

Related Words impression, perception, sense; attitude, outlook, perspective, viewpoint; belief, opinion, view; responsiveness, sensibility, sensitiveness, sensitivity

2 feelings pluralgeneral emotional condition <a remark that thoughtlessly hurt her feelings>

Synonyms heartstrings, passions, sensibilities

Related Words cheer, frame, humor, mode, mood, temper

3 an idea that is believed to be true or valid without positive knowledge <an interesting essay in which the student expressed her feelings about our nationʼs most pressing problems> — see opinion 1
4 an indefinite physical response to a stimulus <that odd feeling of forward movement you get when the parked car next to you backs out> — see sensation 1
5 sorrow or the capacity to feel sorrow for anotherʼs suffering or misfortune <a rich person without much feeling for those who are less fortunate> — see sympathy 1
6 the capacity for feeling for anotherʼs unhappiness or misfortune <a woman of great feeling, the princess wanted to use her status and influence to help the needy> — see heart 1