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 of emotion

• feeling
• chord
• sense

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

That sense of freedom—of the gaze, of emotion, and of expression—is part of what made Farrokhzad the Iranian New Wave’s confrontational exemplar. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026

Bianca Rodriguez, 21, a graduate student studying higher education administration , said the new bridge brings mixed emotions. —Johane Saintil, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026

Over the two-week period of initial treatment, many patients showed an increasing ability to control their breathing and diminish the negative emotions surging through them. —Krys Fluker, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026

Our small gestures, like compliments, can inspire happiness and positive emotions. —Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for emotion

• commotion
• demotion
• devotion
• laotian
• promotion
• locomotion
• lotion
• notion
• ocean
• potion

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