feel

verb
\ ˈfēl How to pronounce feel (audio) \
felt\ ˈfelt How to pronounce felt (audio) \; feeling

Definition of feel

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality She felt the fabric to see if it was wool.
b : to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles) He felt a sudden pain in his leg.
2a : to undergo passive experience of continually felt the resentment of his competitors
b : to have one's sensibilities markedly affected by felt the insult deeply
3 : to ascertain by cautious trial usually used with out feeling out the sentiments of their neighbors on the subject of school improvements
4a : to be aware of by instinct or inference feel trouble brewing
b : believe, think say what you really feel
5 US slang : to understand (someone) : to know how (someone) feels Yeah, I feel you on that. I fall asleep every time I'm in the car as well.— Scott Sugarman When you buckle your chinstrap up, it's with a purpose, dog! Do you feel me?— Eric Berry

intransitive verb

1a : to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation lost the ability to feel in his fingertips
b : to search for something by using the sense of touch She felt in her purse for her keys.
2a : to be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, or physical condition I feel sick.
b : to have a marked sentiment or opinion feels strongly about it
3 : seem it feels like spring today
4 : to have sympathy or pity I feel for you
feel like
: to have an inclination for feel like a walk?

feel

noun

Definition of feel (Entry 2 of 2)

2 : the sense of touch
3a : the quality of a thing as imparted through or as if through touch
b : typical or peculiar quality or atmosphere also : an awareness of such a quality or atmosphere
4 : intuitive knowledge or ability

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Synonyms for feel

Synonyms: Verb

perceive, scent, see, sense, smell, taste

Synonyms: Noun

feeling, sensation, sense

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Examples of feel in a Sentence

Verb

He felt a sudden pain in his leg. I could feel the warmth of the sun. I felt someone tap my shoulder. Do you feel a draft? She felt the fabric to see if it was wool. Your ribs are bruised, but I don't feel any broken bones.

Noun

the feel of old leather Although the table is brand-new, it has the look and feel of an antique. He liked the feel of the sun on his face.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

There are no arcing splatters of blood, no clean pieces of action choreography; every death feels like a senseless loss. David Sims, The Atlantic, "Jennifer Kent’s The Nightingale Delves Into a Harrowing Past," 4 Aug. 2019 To most patients and doctors, treatment designed to kill the maximum number of cancer cells with relentless administration of the greatest possible amount of lethal drugs feels like the best approach. Robert Gatenby, Scientific American, "Darwin’s Ideas on Evolution Drive a Radical New Approach to Cancer Drug Use," 3 Aug. 2019 For appetizers like salty green olives, briney shellfish, and buttery toasts, an elegant but approachable white wine feels the most appropriate, and is capable of handling a smattering of flavors. Sara Mae Albert, Harper's BAZAAR, "How to Plan a Casual Chic Dinner Party," 2 Aug. 2019 The kindness with which Tarantino treats them—despite or because of their reduction to fetish objects—feels like some kind of postmodern apology for past mistakes. Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, "Quentin Tarantino’s #MeToo Moment?," 1 Aug. 2019 In the quiet streets of central Antwerp the scooter craze feels like a fair price to pay. The Economist, "Streets ahead," 1 Aug. 2019 Perhaps more than other countries, severe droughts, food shortages, and flash floods responsible for mass displacements of people has made the effects of climate change especially felt in the East African country. Haleluya Hadero, Quartz Africa, "Planting millions more trees might not be the way to tackle Ethiopia’s environmental problems," 1 Aug. 2019 The community is conveniently located within proximity to The Woodlands while offering a more intimate small town feel. Houston Chronicle, "Chesmar completes construction of GHBA Benefit home in Northgrove," 21 July 2019 His quick release and ability to throw from different arm angles and find unexpected passing lanes have made the pocket feel like a playground. Bob Mcmanaman, azcentral, "Arizona Cardinals scouting report: Quarterbacks," 21 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In the 1940s and ’50s, teams began to invite top prospects to come out to the home field and practice, meet the owners, get a feel for the place. Rich Cohen, Harper's magazine, "The Wood Chipper," 19 Aug. 2019 The movie’s not a success by any means: Too talky and exposition-heavy, and plot twists that seemed quixotically charming in the book seem fairly bizarre onscreen, including a feel-good family reunion that takes place in Antarctica. Ty Burr, BostonGlobe.com, "When movies take a novel approach," 15 Aug. 2019 The feel-good factor of the second half of last season has been boosted by Iñaki Williams signing a new contract that effectively ties him to Bilbao for life. SI.com, "La Liga Season Preview 2019/20: Title Contenders, European Hopefuls, Promoted Sides & More," 14 Aug. 2019 There is no explicit moral to the story, no feel-good resolution by the end of the film. Dallas News, "I'm not alone in my strange hunger: How 'The Farewell' reflects food and the Chinese-American family," 9 Aug. 2019 The sound-proof room features a replica of a jet cabin — based on an American Airlines cabin — which allows passengers to get a feel for the plane before they actually board. Jason Duaine Hahn, PEOPLE.com, "Pittsburgh International Airport Introduces New 'Sensory Room' to Help Flyers Who Have Autism," 24 July 2019 America's dad Tom Hanks will portray Mister Rogers in the feel-good film alongside Emmy-winner Matthew Rhys, who was chosen to play Junod. Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "The Mr. Rogers Movie 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood' Will Require a Lot of Tissues," 22 July 2019 The animators of Disney’s The Lion King traveled to a park with dramatic landscapes in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley to get a feel for, as Mufasa puts it, the great circle of life. National Geographic, "Visit the African park that inspired “The Lion King”," 11 July 2019 And so, perhaps inevitably, Trump has eschewed a Reaganesque feel-good campaign for a battle over racial identity. Los Angeles Times, "Trump, playing with fire on racial issues, already getting burned," 19 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'feel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of feel

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for feel

Verb and Noun

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

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