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

• chord
• feeling
• passion
• sentiment

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

The three acts of dance are not literal adaptations of Woolf’s stories but rather a visual evocation of the novels’ emotions and themes. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024

Here’s how to manage, according to Watson: Remember that the most powerful way to evade influence from people who gaslight you in the long term is to practice validating your own experiences and emotions. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024

The record will follow up Ivory, which arrived in 2022 and served as an early introduction to the kind of emotions the singer is most drawn to dissecting. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024

Yes, sometimes egos persuade people (of all varieties) to retreat into stubborn silent resentment instead of regulating their emotions and using their words. —Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

Jennifer Garner's audition for Felicity brought up a lot of emotions for her. —Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024

Is your anxiety fact-based, or are your biases spurring negative emotions? —Brad Jacobs, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024

In an interview on The Ringer's Dear Felicity podcast, Garner recalls auditioning for the show and having to have a good cry in the bathroom due to the emotion of the scene. —Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2024

But in financial markets, confidence tends to hinge on fundamentals of finance, not on the risky ground of emotion or personal trust. —Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2024

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

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