Feel — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈfēl/

Meaning & Definition of Feel

Feel (verb)

  1. to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality
  2. to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles)
  3. to undergo passive experience of

Feel (noun)

  1. sensation, feeling
  2. the sense of touch
  3. the quality of a thing as imparted through or as if through touch

Feel (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to have a vague awareness of

    "I feel trouble brewing in the town"

  2. to come into bodily contact with (something) so as to perceive a slight pressure on the skin

    "feel this blanket and perceive how soft it is"

    similar: touch
  3. to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it

    "with the birth of their first child the couple came to feel true happiness for the first time"

  4. to have as an opinion

    "I just feel that we haven't explored all of our options for raising funds"

    similar: allow (chiefly Southern & Midland), believe, conceive, consider, deem, esteem, figure, guess, hold, imagine, judge, reckon (chiefly dialect), suppose, think
  5. to search for something blindly or uncertainly

    "the sudden blackout had us feeling around in the dark for a flashlight"

  6. to give the impression of being

    "it felt like a good idea at the time"

Feel (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an indefinite physical response to a stimulus

    "the warm feel that fine cashmere gives"

Related Entry: Feel (for) (verb)

Feel (for) is a different word from Feel. The synonyms below are for feel (for), not for feel.

  1. to have sympathy for

    "a reminder that during the holidays we should all feel for those families who have members serving in the military abroad"

Related Entry: Feel like (phrase)

Feel like is a different word from Feel. The synonyms below are for feel like, not for feel.

  1. to wish to have

    "This song makes me feel like dancing!"

    similar: care (for), like, want

Related Entry: Feel (out) (verb)

Feel (out) is a different word from Feel. The synonyms below are for feel (out), not for feel.

  1. as in study, experiment (with)

  2. as in sound (out)

    opposite: report

Related Entry: Feel up (verb)

Feel up is a different word from Feel. The synonyms below are for feel up, not for feel.

  1. as in paw

Related Entry: Feel-good (adjective)

Feel-good is a different word from Feel. The synonyms below are for feel-good, not for feel.

  1. as in fuzzy

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Feel

The most common words with a similar meaning to Feel:

Chiefly Southern & Midland: allow
Chiefly dialect: reckon

Near Antonyms of Feel

Word Forms of Feel

Inflections: felt, feeling

Origin & Etymology of Feel

Middle English felen, from Old English fēlan; akin to Old High German fuolen to feel, Latin palpare to caress

First known use: before 12th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Feel

Words & Phrases Containing Feel

Frequently Asked Questions about Feel

What does "Feel" mean?

"Feel" means to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality. It has 7 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Feel"?

Other words for "Feel" include perceive, scent, see, sense, smell, taste, touch and endure. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Feel" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Feel"?

There are 163 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Feel". Common alternatives include perceive, scent, see, sense, smell, taste, touch, endure, experience and have.

How do you use "Feel" in a sentence?

Examples of "Feel" in a sentence: "I feel trouble brewing in the town"; "feel this blanket and perceive how soft it is"; "with the birth of their first child the couple came to feel true happiness for the first time".

Is "Feel" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Feel" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Feel" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Feel" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Feel"?

"Feel" is pronounced /ˈfēl/.

What is the origin of the word "Feel"?

"Feel" comes from Middle English felen, from Old English fēlan; akin to Old High German fuolen to feel, Latin palpare to caress. First known use: before 12th centuryt.