feel

Formsfeels, feeling, felt

Pluralfeels

1. 1
   emotionverbintransitive

   To be in a particular emotional, mental, or bodily state, as in 'feel nervous', 'feel cold' or 'feel sick'.

   I always feel sick on long bus rides, so I sit near the front.

   After talking with her sister, she began to feel much calmer about the move.

   UsageFollowed by an adjective: I feel tired (not incorrect: I feel myself tired), feel better.

   Note

   Here feel usually links a person to an adjective naming the state: feel tired, feel calm, feel upset. In he feels strongly about it, strongly instead modifies feel in the sense of holding a view. When a thing or situation becomes the subject instead, as in it feels strange, the verb has shifted to the sense of "seem".

2. 2
   hold a viewverbtransitive

   To hold a belief, opinion, or impression about something.

   Many voters feel the system is unfair.

   She felt it unwise to say more.

   UsageI feel that + clause softens an opinion. Also feel it (to be) our duty.

   Similarthink, believe, consider, deem, judge

   Note

   Belief is presented as if it were a sensation, and that softens it. I feel that we need to try harder sounds less dogmatic than I think that, which makes it useful for tactful disagreement. The use is old: Henry VIII, written in 1613, has garlands "I feel I am not worthy yet to wear." Source

   Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

   • Henry VIII was written in 1613. This explicitly identifies composition, not first publication, which was in 1623. folgerpedia.folger.edu
   • Henry VIII contains the quoted words about garlands, establishing an early example of feel expressing belief or judgment. The speaker is Katherine. folger.edu
3. 3
   verbintransitive

   To seem a certain way, through touch or otherwise.

   It felt strange to be back in my old school.

   Parties like this always feel like funerals.

   UsageFeel like + a noun (it feels like plastic), or an adjective: it felt strange.

   Similarseem

4. 4
   nouncountable

   An understanding of something, or a natural ability with it, that comes from experience or intuition, as in 'get a feel for the job' or 'a feel for horses'.

   Walk the route once to get a feel for the climb.

   The first chapter gives you a feel for the whole book.

   UsageUsually get a feel for something or have a feel for it.

   Similarsense, grasp, understanding, idea, impression

5. 5
   be awareverbtransitive

   To be or become aware of something.

   Children feel a quarrel long before they understand it.

   He felt eyes on him as he crossed the square.

   Similarsense, notice, perceive, detect

6. 6
   nouncountable

   A perception experienced mainly or solely through touch.

   Silk has a cool, smooth feel.

   He liked the feel of the old tool in his hand.

   UsageOften the feel of something: the feel of silk, the feel of the old tool.

   Similartexture, touch

7. 7
   nounslangUScountable

   An emotion or emotional state.

   Nobody knows that feel better than a new parent.

   The song is all feels and no tune.

   UsageMostly in I know that feel, and in the plural, the feels.

   Similaremotion, vibe

8. 8
   suffer effectsverbtransitive

   To experience the consequences of something.

   Small firms feel a tax rise first.

   We felt the effects of the strike for months.

   UsageCommon in feel the effects of something and feel the pinch.

   Similarsuffer, experience, endure

9. 9
   verbintransitive

   To receive information by touch or by any sense other than sight, smell, taste, or hearing.

   Snakes feel vibrations through the ground.

   Blind readers feel the raised dots of Braille to make out each letter.

   Similarsense, detect, perceive

10. 10
    nouncountable

    The overall mood or impression created by a place, an object or a piece of creative work.

    The band's new album has a darker, moodier feel than their earlier records.

    Exposed brick and old wooden beams give the loft an industrial feel.

    Similaratmosphere, mood, air, character

    Note

    Here the quality belongs to the thing, not to the person sensing it. Two frames are common: a and an adjective (a relaxed feel, an industrial feel), or the feel of something (the feel of an old kitchen). Do not confuse it with the knack, which takes for: a feel for music is a talent, while music with a jazzy feel has a certain character.

Showing meanings only. Show all 15