FEEL (to)
- Géraldine Pierrot
- Jan 7
- 1 min read
Type
Verb / Noun
Origin
"Feel" originates from the Old English "fēlan", meaning "to touch" or "perceive by touch". It's related to the Old High German "fuolen" and Old Norse "fā", which have similar meanings. From Middle English "felen" to modern "feel", the word evolved to include emotional and mental experiences.
Semantic
The word ‘feel’ has a rich and nuanced semantic range, encompassing various aspects of sensory perception, emotions, and cognition.
Here are some key semantic dimensions of the word ‘feel’:
Touch and Sensation
One of the primary meanings of ‘feel’ is associated with the sense of touch and physical sensation.
‘This silk has a soft feel’.
Emotion and Mood
Expresses emotions or moods.
‘I feel happy today’.
Opinion or Belief
‘Feel’ can also be used to express one’s opinion, belief, or intuition about a situation, often conveying a subjective sense.
‘I feel that it’s the right decision’.
Perception or Awareness ‘Feel’ can indicate a sense of perception or awareness, often in a more subtle or intuitive way.
'I feel a change in the atmosphere’.
Physical or Mental State
Used to describe one’s physical or mental state, such as feeling tired, energetic, or unwell.
'I feel exhilaration after the workout’.
Quality of Expression
In artistic or performance contexts, ‘feel’ can describe the quality or emotional resonance of a piece, such as a musical performance or a work of art.
'This art has an inspirational feel to it’.
Synonyms
Sense, Experience, Perceive
Antonyms
Ignore, Overlook, Disregard
Derivatives
Feeling, Feel Good, Feeler
