feeling

feel·ing | \ ˈfē-liŋ

Definition of feeling

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a(1) : the one of the basic physical senses of which the skin contains the chief end organs and of which the sensations of touch and temperature are characteristic : touch

(2) : a sensation experienced through this sense

b : generalized bodily consciousness or sensation

c : appreciative or responsive awareness or recognition experience a feeling of safety

2a : an emotional state or reaction a kindly feeling toward the boy

b feelings plural : susceptibility to impression : sensitivity the remark hurt her feelings

3a : the undifferentiated background of one's awareness considered apart from any identifiable sensation, perception, or thought

b : the overall quality of one's awareness

c : conscious recognition : sense

4a : often unreasoned opinion or belief : sentiment What are your feelings about this subject?

b : presentiment I have a feeling she's not going to like this.

5 : capacity to respond emotionally especially with the higher emotions found out how much feeling his mother really had

6 : the character ascribed to something : atmosphere The place had the feeling of a haunted house.

7a : the quality of a work of art that conveys the emotion of the artist the feeling of the outdoors has been realized with sky-blue ceiling and natural colors — Playthings

b : sympathetic aesthetic response a person of fine feeling

8 : feel sense 4

feeling

adjective

Definition of feeling (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : sentient, sensitive

b : easily moved emotionally

2 obsolete : deeply felt

3 : expressing emotion or sensitivity

Other Words from feeling Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about feeling

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Choose the Right Synonym for feeling

Noun

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 feeling in a Sentence

Noun I noticed tingling feelings in my fingers. She had a queasy feeling in her stomach. I had the feeling of something crawling across my foot. We enjoyed the feeling of walking barefoot in the sand. He had no feeling in his right leg. He's been troubled by feelings of guilt. There's no point in trying to hide your feelings. He spoke with feeling about the injustice he had seen. Have you no feeling for the plight of the homeless? I can see that you have strong feelings about this subject.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Don’t let outdated expectations about how girls and women should behave restrict your authentic feelings and communication style. — NBC News, "Women don't brag enough at work — here's why they should," 10 Jan. 2020 The feelings and misgivings behind that answer have remained, as Brady has tried in vain to get a multiyear commitment. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "Tom Brady’s preference has to be staying with Patriots," 10 Jan. 2020 Seizures are sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain that can cause changes to one’s behavior, movements, feelings and levels of consciousness, according to Mayo Clinic. — Jason Duaine Hahn, PEOPLE.com, "British Teen Saved by Friend in Texas After Having Seizure While Playing Online Game," 10 Jan. 2020 Even an increase this seemingly small could alleviate feelings of financial stress, which are sometimes a factor in suicidal thoughts. — Aj Willingham, CNN, "5 things to know for January 10: Iran, Brexit, infrastructure, China, Taiwan," 10 Jan. 2020 The feeling of humiliation took hold later, amid economic recovery, as anti-American propaganda was whipped up by Vladimir Putin, a former KGB officer, not a bedazzled reformer. — The Economist, "The ironies of revolution A love affair with liberal democracy that soured," 9 Jan. 2020 Herman wrote in the Rodgers and Hammerstein tradition, an optimistic composer at a time when others in his profession were exploring darker feelings and material. — CBS News, ""Mame," "Hello, Dolly!" composer Jerry Herman has died at 88," 27 Dec. 2019 Herman wrote in the Rodgers and Hammerstein tradition, an optimistic composer at a time when others in his profession were exploring darker feelings and material. — Washington Post, "‘Mame,’ ‘Hello, Dolly!’ composer Jerry Herman dies at 88," 27 Dec. 2019 Social media can be a source for both envy-inducing feelings, and pure joy through entertainment. — Shalwah Evans, Essence, "Funny Alert: These Black Hair And Makeup Memes Are Hilarious, And True," 18 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'feeling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

14 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Feeling.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feeling?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=f&file=feelin01. Accessed 19 January 2020.

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More Definitions for feeling

feeling

noun

English Language Learners Definition of feeling

: an awareness by your body of something in it or on it

: an emotional state or reaction

: thoughts of wanting to help someone who is sick, hungry, in trouble, etc.

See the full definition for feeling in the English Language Learners Dictionary

feeling

noun

feel·ing | \ ˈfē-liŋ

Kids Definition of feeling

1 : the sense by which a person knows whether things are hard or soft, hot or cold, heavy or light

2 : a sensation of temperature or pressure a feeling of cold a feeling of pain

3 : a state of mind a feeling of joy

4 feelings plural : the state of a person's emotions … she did not want her father's feelings hurt.— Beverly Cleary, Ramona Quimby

5 : an opinion, belief, or expectation I have the feeling we've met before.

feeling

noun

feel·ing | \ ˈfē-liŋ

Medical Definition of feeling

1a : the one of the basic physical senses of which the skin contains the chief end organs and of which the sensations of touch and temperature are characteristic : touch

b : a sensation experienced through this sense

2 : an emotional state or reaction guilt feelings

3 : the overall quality of one's awareness especially as measured along a pleasantness-unpleasantness continuum

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