FEEL (verb) definition and synonyms | Macmillan Dictionary

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• LINKING VERB to be in a particular state as a result of an emotion or a physical feeling I was feeling quite cheerful when we set out. Sam felt cold and utterly miserable. Are you feeling ill? I don’t feel very well. How do you feel now? I feel such a fool for believing him. He never felt at ease with interviewers or photographers. feel like: When I came back to England, I felt like a stranger. feel as if/as though: I felt as though someone had just punched me in the stomach.

• TRANSITIVE to experience a particular emotion or physical feeling feel sadness/happiness/anger/relief etc: She felt some sadness when the time came to leave. feel guilt/remorse: Richard felt no guilt at all for what he had done. feel the need to do something: Cara felt the need to talk to someone. feel (a) pain: He felt a sudden pain in his chest. feel the cold/heat: Children don’t seem to feel the cold as much as adults do.

• TRANSITIVE to touch something with your hand so that you can discover what it is like She felt the child’s forehead to see if he was feverish. Feel this scarf – it’s incredibly soft!

• to notice something that you know is there but cannot see, hear, touch, or smell Sarah could feel the man’s presence before she saw him. feel (that): I felt I was being watched.

• INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE ​NOT USUALLY PROGRESSIVEto have a particular way of thinking about something, especially one that depends on your emotions rather than on facts or evidence feel (that): I feel that more should be done to help young people. feel about: I don’t know how Mary feels about eating meat. feel strongly about something: I know that Sally feels quite strongly about this issue. feel something (to be) something: We felt it an appropriate gesture in the circumstances. feel it appropriate/necessary/important etc to do something: He always felt it necessary to explain his actions.

• TRANSITIVE to be affected by something feel the effects/repercussions/benefits etc of something: People should feel the benefits of the tax cuts by next month. feel someone’s death: I’m sure we all feel his death very keenly.