feel
feel — verb
1. to be aware of a physical or emotional state inside your body or mind — for exam
to be aware of a physical or emotional state inside your body or mind — for example, feeling happy, tired, cold, or sad.
Tara felt a sharp pain in her ankle after stepping off the kerb.
feel + noun phrase (physical sensation)
Eshe felt nervous before her first piano recital at school.
feel + adjective (emotional state)
Wren felt the cat brush against his leg under the table.
The children felt a sudden chill when the wind picked up.
After the long hike, Anna felt completely exhausted but proud.
- sense
more formal, often used for detecting subtle things (sense trouble, sense danger)
- experience
broader; can refer to going through events, not just feelings
- notice
focuses on becoming aware of something with your senses
- ignore
to deliberately not pay attention to a feeling
文法句型
feel + adjective
feel + noun phrase
feel + object + -ing verb
用法筆記
Frequently used with adjectives to describe emotions (feel happy, feel tired) and with noun phrases to describe physical sensations (feel pain, feel a breeze). Do not confuse with 'sense' — feel is about direct bodily or emotional awareness, while 'sense' can imply detection without direct feeling.
常見錯誤
2. to want something at a given moment — for example, feeling like a cup of tea or
to want something at a given moment — for example, feeling like a cup of tea or feeling like going to the beach.
Do you feel like pizza for dinner, or would you rather cook something?
feel like + noun phrase
After sitting indoors all morning, Vivek felt like going for a long walk.
feel like + -ing verb
Roya felt like a hot shower after shovelling snow for an hour.
I don't feel like watching a movie tonight — I am too tired.
文法句型
feel like + noun phrase
feel like + -ing verb
用法筆記
This sense typically uses the pattern 'feel like + noun/gerund.' It is not used with a that-clause. The negative form 'don't feel like' is very common in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
3. to almost wish you could do something, even though you stay quiet or do not actu
to almost wish you could do something, even though you stay quiet or do not actually act on the urge — for example, feeling like telling someone off but holding back.
Tuan felt like telling his boss exactly what he thought, but he held back.
feel like + -ing (hypothetical urge)
When Andrés saw the price tag, he felt like walking away immediately.
Lara felt like crying when she read the letter, yet she stayed calm.
The traffic jam was so bad that Yasmin felt like getting out and walking.
- be tempted to
more explicit about the pull toward something
- could
as in 'I could have screamed' — similar hypothetical urge
文法句型
feel like + -ing verb (hypothetical)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (WANT): sense 3 describes a hypothetical urge that the subject does not act on. The sentence often continues with 'but' or 'yet' to show the action was not carried out.
4. to be unusually sensitive to cold temperatures, especially getting cold faster o
to be unusually sensitive to cold temperatures, especially getting cold faster or more often than other people.
My grandmother really feels the cold and wears a heavy coat even in autumn.
feel the cold (idiomatic sense)
Haruto did not feel the cold because his coat was thick and well made.
After chemotherapy, Cyrus felt the cold much more than he used to.
Older people often feel the cold more than younger ones do.
- be sensitive to cold
more literal, less idiomatic
- be warm-blooded
informal; describes someone who seldom feels cold
文法句型
feel + the cold / the heat
用法筆記
Almost always used with a definite object: 'the cold' or 'the heat.' The pattern 'feel the cold' is idiomatic and means a person is sensitive to cold, not that they are cold at this moment.
5. to experience no physical sensation, especially pain — used in the phrase 'not f
to experience no physical sensation, especially pain — used in the phrase 'not feel a thing' when someone has been given an anesthetic or is unable to sense touch or hurt.
The dentist said I would not feel a thing during the procedure.
not feel a thing (idiomatic)
Her hands were so cold that she could not feel the keys in her pocket.
After the injection, Noa did not feel any pain in his tooth.
The boxer's face was so swollen that he could not feel his own nose.
文法句型
not feel + a thing
not feel + any + noun
用法筆記
Most commonly appears in the fixed expression 'not feel a thing,' which is informal but widely used. The literal negative form 'not feel any pain' is neutral in register.
6. to hold a view about something, often based more on emotion or instinct than on
to hold a view about something, often based more on emotion or instinct than on facts — for example, feeling that a plan will work, or feeling that someone can be trusted.
Valentina felt that the interview went well, even though she was nervous.
feel + that-clause (opinion)
The committee felt the proposal to be too risky for now.
feel + object + to be
Jin felt strongly about protecting the local park from development.
Élise feels it is unfair that students have to pay for parking on campus.
Ryan felt certain that he had locked the door before leaving.
- doubt
to lack belief or certainty
文法句型
feel + that-clause
feel + object + to be + adjective/noun
feel + adjective + about
用法筆記
Common in polite or diplomatic contexts: 'I feel that…' is softer than 'I think that…' and suggests the speaker is offering a personal view. Can be followed by a that-clause, an object + to be complement, or an adjective complement.
常見錯誤
7. to pass your hand across something or press it with your fingers so that you can
to pass your hand across something or press it with your fingers so that you can learn about its texture, shape, or location — for example, checking whether a fabric is soft, or seeking a light switch in total darkness.
Rodrigo felt the fabric of the suit to see if it was wool or cotton.
feel + noun (examine by touch)
In the dark hallway, Tariq felt for the light switch along the wall.
feel for + noun (search by touch)
The doctor felt the patient's ankle to check for swelling.
Allison felt around in her bag for her phone but could not find it.
Iker felt how smooth the polished stone was before placing it on the shelf.
文法句型
feel + noun phrase
feel + for + noun
feel + question word
用法筆記
This sense is active — the person deliberately uses their sense of touch to gain information. 'Feel for' suggests searching for something you cannot see. 'Feel around' suggests a wider searching motion.
feel — noun
1. how a surface or material strikes you when you run your hand over it — for insta
how a surface or material strikes you when you run your hand over it — for instance, the soft feel of velvet or the rough feel of sandpaper.
I love the smooth feel of silk against my skin on a warm day.
the + adjective + feel + of
The feel of the old leather sofa reminded Christopher of his grandfather's study.
These towels have a lovely soft feel after being washed with fabric softener.
You can tell real wool by its warm, dry feel compared to synthetic fibres.
文法句型
the feel of + noun
用法筆記
Usually paired with an adjective (soft, rough, smooth, warm) to describe the tactile quality. 'The feel of something' is a very common pattern. This sense is uncountable and takes a singular verb.
2. an act of touching something with your hand or fingers, often to examine or test
an act of touching something with your hand or fingers, often to examine or test it.
The jeweller gave the diamond a quick feel between his fingers.
give + noun + a feel
Aiko took a feel of the fruit to see if it was ripe.
take a feel of
A single feel of the wet paint told him it was still fresh.
The child reached out for a feel of the rabbit's soft fur.
- touch
a single touch — more general, less examination-oriented
文法句型
a feel of + noun
用法筆記
Typically appears in phrases like 'give something a feel' or 'have a feel (of something).' Countable, found mostly in informal and spoken contexts.
3. the overall mood or impression that a location, event, or situation gives people
the overall mood or impression that a location, event, or situation gives people — for example, the friendly feel of a neighbourhood café or the tense feel of a waiting room before an exam.
The old town has a relaxed feel that tourists find very charming.
a + adjective + feel
The feel of the office changed completely after the new manager arrived.
Wren loved the lively feel of the night market in Taipei.
The restaurant tries to create a cosy feel with warm lighting and wooden tables.
- atmosphere
more formal; 'feel' is warmer and more subjective
- vibe
informal slang; 'feel' is neutral in register
- ambience
more literary; used especially in describing places
文法句型
the feel of + place/situation
a + adjective + feel
用法筆記
Often modified by an adjective (modern, old-fashioned, relaxed, cosy). 'Give something a feel' is a common construction. Do not confuse with sense 1 (TEXTURE) — this sense is about abstract atmosphere, not physical texture.
4. a natural ability or intuitive understanding of something, especially a subject,
a natural ability or intuitive understanding of something, especially a subject, skill, or activity — for example, having a good feel for languages or a feel for how machines work.
Tara has a natural feel for the piano, even though she has had few lessons.
have a feel for
Good designers develop a feel for which colours work well together.
After years of teaching, Eshe had a real feel for what her students needed.
You need a feel for numbers if you want to work in accounting.
文法句型
a feel for + noun/gerund
have a feel for
用法筆記
Commonly appears in 'have a feel for (something).' It suggests an intuitive grasp rather than formal knowledge. This sense is different from 'a feeling that…' which refers to a specific belief; 'a feel for' refers to a general ability.
5. the process of becoming comfortable and familiar with a new activity, tool, or s
the process of becoming comfortable and familiar with a new activity, tool, or situation through practice — for example, getting the feel of a new car's steering or a new job's routine.
It took Jin a few weeks to get the feel of the new accounting software.
get the feel of
The pilot spent an hour getting the feel of the controls before taking off.
Once you get the feel of the surfboard, balancing becomes much easier.
Haruto got the feel of the city by walking through different neighbourhoods.
- get used to
broader meaning; 'get the feel of' implies physical or hands-on familiarity
- get the hang of
more informal; suggests learning a skill
文法句型
get the feel of + noun/gerund
用法筆記
Almost always used in the phrase 'get the feel of (something).' The focus is on the process of becoming accustomed, not on the end result.
6. the understanding of a new environment that develops as you spend time there — f
the understanding of a new environment that develops as you spend time there — for example, getting a feel for a new school or a different neighbourhood.
After a month in Kyoto, Valentina began to get a feel for the local culture.
get a feel for (place/culture)
The new teacher spent the first week getting a feel for how the class worked.
You need to get a feel for the market before you invest any money.
Walking through the old district gave Ryan a feel for the city's history.
- familiarity
more formal; 'feel' is more subjective
- sense
as in 'get a sense for' — very similar meaning
文法句型
get a feel for + noun (place/situation)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5 (GET USED TO): sense 5 focuses on mastering a skill or tool; sense 6 focuses on becoming familiar with a place, situation, or social environment. Often uses 'get a feel for' rather than 'get the feel of.'
7. an intense emotional response such as love, anger, joy, or sadness that a person
an intense emotional response such as love, anger, joy, or sadness that a person goes through.
Allison could not hide her feelings of disappointment when the trip was cancelled.
feelings of + noun
After the argument, Nikos had mixed feelings about calling his brother back.
mixed feelings
The film brought back feelings of nostalgia for her childhood summers.
Tuan tried to put his feelings into words, but it was not easy.
文法句型
feelings of + noun
your feelings
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used in the plural form 'feelings.' Singular 'a feeling of…' is also common. 'Mixed feelings' (having both positive and negative emotions) is a frequent collocation.
常見錯誤
8. a person's emotional sensitivity, especially the possibility of being upset or o
a person's emotional sensitivity, especially the possibility of being upset or offended — used in expressions like 'hurt someone's feelings' or 'no hard feelings.'
Roya did not want to hurt her sister's feelings by criticising the meal.
hurt someone's feelings
After the argument, Cyrus said he had no hard feelings about what happened.
no hard feelings
Tariq was careful not to offend anyone, because he knew feelings were running high.
I understand you disagree, but this is not an attack on your feelings.
- emotions
overlaps but 'feelings' is more about personal sensitivity
文法句型
hurt someone's feelings
no hard feelings
用法筆記
Always plural. Common in fixed expressions: 'hurt someone's feelings' (make someone feel sad or offended), 'no hard feelings' (used after an argument to show there is no anger), 'feelings run high' (people are very emotional).