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⇱ FEELING Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com


feeling

American  
[fee-ling] / ˈfi lɪŋ /

noun

  1. the function or the power of perceiving by touch.

  2. physical sensation not connected with sight, hearing, taste, or smell.

    Deep tissue massage can involve both painful and pleasant feelings.

  3. a particular physical sensation not connected with sight, hearing, taste, or smell.

    a feeling of warmth;

    a feeling of pain.

  4. the general state of consciousness considered independently of particular sensations, thoughts, etc.

  5. a consciousness or vague awareness.

    a feeling of inferiority.

  6. an emotion or emotional perception or attitude.

    a feeling of joy;

    a feeling of sorrow.

    Synonyms:
    sentiment, sensitivity, tenderness, empathy, sympathy
    Antonyms:
    apathy
  7. capacity for emotion, especially compassion.

    The charity staff have great feeling for the sufferings of others.

  8. a sentiment; attitude; opinion.

    The general feeling was in favor of the proposal.

  9. feelings, sensibilities; susceptibilities.

    A harsh reply could hurt her feelings.

  10. fine emotional endowment.

  11. (in music, art, etc.)

    1. emotion or sympathetic perception revealed by an artist in their work.

      Though elegant, it was a poem without feeling.

    2. the general impression conveyed by a work.

      Landscape paintings with a spacious feeling are very popular in small homes.

    3. sympathetic appreciation, as of music.

      The pianist was known for his ability to play with feeling.


adjective

  1. sensitive; sentient.

    Synonyms:
    tender, emotional
    Antonyms:
    cold
  2. readily affected by emotion; sympathetic.

    A feeling heart could not be unaffected by this tragic story.

    Synonyms:
    passionate, impassioned
  3. indicating or characterized by emotion.

    The defendant's speech gave a feeling reply to the charge.

feeling British  
/ ˈfiːlɪŋ /

noun

  1. the sense of touch

    1. the ability to experience physical sensations, such as heat, pain, etc

    2. the sensation so experienced

  2. a state of mind

  3. a physical or mental impression

    a feeling of warmth

  4. fondness; sympathy

    to have a great deal of feeling for someone

  5. an ability to feel deeply

    a person of feeling

  6. a sentiment

    a feeling that the project is feasible

  7. an impression or mood; atmosphere

    the feeling of a foreign city

  8. an emotional disturbance, esp anger or dislike

    a lot of bad feeling about the increase in taxes

  9. intuitive appreciation and understanding

    a feeling for words

  10. sensibility in the performance of something

  11. (plural) emotional or moral sensitivity, as in relation to principles or personal dignity (esp in the phrase hurt or injure the feelings of )

  12. to be emotionally or sexually attracted to

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. sentient; sensitive

  2. expressing or containing emotion

  3. warm-hearted; sympathetic

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What are other ways to say feeling?

A feeling is a particular sensation or an emotional perception or attitude. What’s the difference between feeling, emotion, passion, and sentiment? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

Other Word Forms

  • feelingly adverb
  • feelingness noun
  • nonfeeling adjective
  • nonfeelingly adverb
  • underfeeling noun

Etymology

Origin of feeling

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English; feel ( def. ), -ing 1 ( def. ), -ing 2 ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The sounds we’re in the middle of, the smells, the atmosphere, the feeling of the air on your skin.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Don’t take his deal if it leaves you feeling queasy or questionable, especially if you don’t like your children being potentially dependent on the largesse of your husband.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

She says she never imagined living through a moment that would leave her feeling both heartbroken and profoundly proud of her city.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Lil Nas X, who returned to Van Nuys Courthouse for a hearing, told media he was feeling “thankful” and echoed a previous comment that he misses his fans.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

It’s a feeling I’m familiar with even though I often try to convince myself that my feelings about that aren’t real.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.