feeling

adjective

Synonyms of feelingnext
1
b
: easily moved emotionally
2
obsolete : deeply felt
3
: expressing emotion or sensitivity
feelingly adverb
feelingness noun

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of feeling was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Feeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feeling. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

feeling

1 of 2 noun
feel·​ing ˈfē-liŋ How to pronounce feeling (audio)
1
a
: a sense by which the hardness or softness, hotness or coldness, or heaviness or lightness of things is found out
especially : touch entry 2 sense 3
b
: a sensation experienced through this sense
2
a
: a state of mind
a feeling of loneliness
b
plural : general emotional condition : sensibilities
hurt their feelings
3
: an opinion or belief often when not based on evidence
a feeling that it will rain
4
5

feeling

2 of 2 adjective
feelingly adverb
feelingness noun

Medical Definition

feeling

noun
feel·​ing ˈfē-liŋ How to pronounce feeling (audio)
1
a
: the capacity or ability to experience physical sensations (such as pain, touch, or temperature) that is mediated chiefly by end organs and sensory receptors in the skin
b
: a sensation experienced through this capacity
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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