feel

feel

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Pronunciation

The IPA phonetic spelling for "feel" is /fiːl/.

• /fiːl/

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Word Form Variations

• Verb: feel (base form), feels (third-person singular present), felt (past tense, past participle), feeling (present participle)

• Noun: feel (singular), feels (plural - less common in general use, but can refer to sensations or emotions, as in "good feels")

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Verb

• Definition 1: To perceive through the sense of touch.

• Example: She closed her eyes to feel the warmth of the sun on her face.

• Synonyms: touch, sense, perceive, experience

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; implies a lack of perception or a different sense)

• Definition 2: To experience an emotion or a physical sensation.

• Example: He felt a surge of excitement as he crossed the finish line.

• Synonyms: experience, sense, undergo, suffer (in the context of negative feelings)

• Antonyms: repress, suppress, disregard (in the context of emotions)

• Definition 3: To believe or think something; to have an impression or opinion.

• Example: I feel that it's important to be honest in all your dealings.

• Synonyms: believe, think, consider, opine, sense

• Antonyms: doubt, disbelieve, question

• Definition 4: To examine or search by touch.

• Example: The doctor felt for a pulse in her wrist.

• Synonyms: palpate, probe, examine, grope

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; implies a lack of physical examination)

• Definition 5: To have a particular quality or characteristic when touched.

• Example: The fabric feels soft against the skin.

• Synonyms: seem, appear, be (in terms of texture/quality)

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; describes a inherent quality)

Noun

• Definition 1: The sense of touch; the act of touching or perceiving by touch.

• Example: The smooth feel of the polished wood was very satisfying.

• Synonyms: touch, sensation, texture, quality

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; refers to a sense or characteristic)

• Definition 2: A general atmosphere or quality that is perceived or experienced.

• Example: The restaurant had a cozy and inviting feel.

• Synonyms: atmosphere, vibe, ambiance, mood, impression

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; refers to an overall impression)

• Definition 3: An intuitive awareness or understanding of something; a knack.

• Example: She has a good feel for understanding people's emotions.

• Synonyms: intuition, knack, aptitude, instinct, discernment

• Antonyms: ignorance, lack of understanding, ineptitude

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Examples of Use

Books:

• "He had the distinct feel that something was amiss." (From The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, though specific sentence phrasing may vary slightly)

• "She tried to imagine how it would feel to live without the constant fear." (From The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, similar to general thematic usage)

Newspapers:

• "Consumers feel the pinch as inflation continues to rise." (The Daily Nation, Kenya, headline style for economic news)

• "The local community feels a strong connection to the newly opened park." (The Standard, Kenya, community news report)

Online Publications:

• "Does your remote work setup feel productive, or is it just a source of distraction?" (From a LinkedIn Pulse article on workplace efficiency)

• "Scientists are developing new materials that feel like natural skin but offer superior protection." (From an article on ScienceDaily.com, technology/innovation section)

Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Film: (Dialogue from a romantic comedy) "I just feel like we're meant to be together." (Common phrase in romantic films)

• Music: "I can't help but feel this way..." (Lyric from a popular song, often expressing strong emotions)

• Video Game: (In-game tutorial text) "Press X to feel for hidden pressure plates." (Instructional text in adventure games)

• Podcast: (From a true-crime podcast) "The detective had a gut feel that the suspect was hiding something." (Describing intuitive understanding in an investigation)

• Social Media (e.g., Twitter/X, Instagram caption): "Loving the summer feel of this new dress! ☀️" (User post expressing a positive sensory and aesthetic impression)

General Public Discourse:

• "How do you feel about the new public transport system?" (Common question asked in casual conversations or public surveys)

• "I feel like we should try a different approach to solve this problem." (Expressed opinion in a team meeting or discussion)

• "The air feels cooler after the rain." (Casual observation about weather)

• "She has a good feel for what the audience wants." (Compliment about someone's intuition or understanding in a creative field)

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10 Famous Quotes Using Feel

1. "I feel therefore I am." (Often attributed metaphorically to René Descartes' "I think, therefore I am")

2. "The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle." (Attributed to Steve Jobs, often paraphrased as "You've got to find what you love... And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle.")

3. "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince - while not using "feel," this captures the essence of internal perception)

4. "I feel that the greatest reward for doing is the opportunity to do more." (Jonas Salk)

5. "When you feel like quitting, think about why you started." (Unknown, common motivational quote)

6. "We don't remember days, we remember moments." (Cesare Pavese - relates to how we "feel" and experience time)

7. "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." (Ralph Waldo Emerson - relates to the internal "feel" of authenticity)

8. "If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - implies observing actions to "feel" out character)

9. "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." (Helen Keller)

10. "I feel strong, I feel confident, I feel beautiful." (Common empowering affirmation, often seen in self-help and motivational contexts)

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Etymology

The word "feel" has a long history, tracing its roots back to ancient Germanic languages.

Its earliest known use in English comes from the Old English period (before 1150 AD) as the verb "fēlan." At that time, its primary meaning was pretty straightforward: "to touch or have a sensory experience of something." So, it was all about using your sense of touch to perceive the world around you. Think of feeling the roughness of a stone or the warmth of the sun.

Over time, the word "feel" started to broaden its meaning. By around 1200 AD, it began to include mental perceptions and emotions. This is where we get the idea of "feeling happy" or "feeling sad." The idea is that these are also "sensory experiences," but instead of being physical, they're internal.

So, from its simple beginnings of just "touching," "feel" grew to encompass a much wider range of experiences, both physical and emotional, reflecting how we interact with and understand the world.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Feel

• Feel free: To grant permission or encourage someone to do something.

• Feel out: To subtly explore or ascertain someone's opinions or intentions.

• Feel up to (something): To have the energy or inclination for a task.

• Feel like (doing something): To have a desire or inclination to do something.

• Feel it in one's bones: To have a strong intuitive sense or premonition about something.

• Feel the pinch: To experience financial hardship.

• Feel at home: To feel comfortable and relaxed in a new place or situation.

• Feel the burn: To experience muscle fatigue during exercise.

• Get a feel for (something): To become accustomed to or gain an understanding of something through experience.

• How do you feel about...? A common way to ask for someone's opinion or emotional state regarding a topic.

• Feel the heat: To experience intense pressure, criticism, or consequences.

• Feel good/bad about oneself: To have positive/negative self-esteem or self-worth.

• To each his own (or, each to their own feel): An idiom (with a slight adaptation for "feel") implying that everyone has different preferences or ways of doing things.

• A good feel for the market: An intuitive understanding of market trends (using "feel" as a noun).

• Feel a chill: To experience a sudden sensation of coldness, often indicating illness or unease.

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of feel from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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