feel
verb /fiːl/
/fiːl/
Verb Forms
Idioms Phrasal Verbs| present simple I / you / we / they feel | /fiːl/ /fiːl/ |
| he / she / it feels | /fiːlz/ /fiːlz/ |
| past simple felt | /felt/ /felt/ |
| past participle felt | /felt/ /felt/ |
| -ing form feeling | /ˈfiːlɪŋ/ /ˈfiːlɪŋ/ |
- linking verb to experience a particular feeling or emotion
- + adj. The bus ride made me feel sick.
- Are you feeling comfortable?
- She sounded more confident than she felt.
- I was feeling guilty.
- You'll feel better after a good night's sleep.
- I feel sorry for him.
- I feel bad about leaving you like this.
- She felt betrayed.
- + adv./prep. How are you feeling today?
- I know exactly how you feel (= I feel sympathy for you).
- We all felt the same way.
- Luckily I was feeling in a good mood.
- feel something I felt the need to explain.
- I felt a sense of relief.
- feel like something I felt like a complete idiot.
- She made me feel like a child by doing everything for me.
- feel as if/though… I feel as if nobody cares.
- She felt as though she was going to cry.
- feel + noun to feel an idiot/a fool
Extra ExamplesTopics Feelingsa1- I feel great this morning.
- Mum! I feel sick.
- The heat made him feel faint.
- He sounded happy, but I don't think he felt it.
- I really felt bad about what I had done.
- She felt uncomfortable about asking him for help.
- I suddenly felt inspired.
- He'd never felt really content in his job.
- I just want her to feel safe.
- How do you feel: happy, relieved, surprised?
- It made me feel so proud to see him standing up there.
- Do you feel tired all the time?
- I've never felt this way before.
- I feel a lot of sympathy for them.
- She didn't feel the pain so much as the shock.
- He seemed to feel no remorse at all.
- He feels a strong connection with her.
- He felt shame at not having helped her.
- She felt nothing when she saw him.
- Are you disappointed? I feel that way too.
- I feel like such a failure.
- They felt like outsiders.
- I don't like feeling like a tourist when I travel.
- I feel like I'm going to be sick.
- We never felt like we were rich.
- I always felt as though I had to try harder than other people.
- They feel as if nobody listens to them.
- I feel as if I've eaten too many sweets.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- deeply
- strongly
- really
- …
- about
- for
- [transitive] (not usually used in the progressive tenses) to notice or be aware of something because it is touching you or having a physical effect on you synonym sense
- feel something I could feel the warm sun on my back.
- She felt a sharp pain in her hand.
- She could not feel her legs.
- I can’t feel his pulse.
- He felt a hand on his shoulder.
- You may feel a slight pressure in your chest.
- feel somebody/something/yourself doing something He felt a hand touching his shoulder.
- She could feel herself blushing.
- He felt the sweat running down his face.
- feel somebody/something/yourself do something I felt something crawl up my arm.
- We felt the ground give way under our feet.
Extra Examples- As soon as you get off the plane you feel the heat.
- They felt an impact as the bomb hit.
- I felt tears welling up in my eyes.
- He could feel his heart pounding.
- I felt him trembling.
- I could feel myself getting faint.
- I felt a hand touch my knee.
- I felt the handle wobble when I picked it up.
- He felt his knee give way.
- I felt something fall out of my pocket.
- I felt her relax in my arms.
- She felt a tear trickle down her cheek.
- He felt himself blush.
- [transitive] (not usually used in the progressive tenses) feel something to become aware of something even though you cannot see it, hear it, etc. synonym sense
- Can you feel the tension in this room?
- They all feel pressure from managers to make a sale.
- I definitely felt the importance of the occasion.
Extra Examples- I felt their disapproval.
- We all feel the urgency of the problem.
- You can feel the chemistry between them from the opening scene.
- I immediately felt the difference after he'd gone.
- Women feel society's expectation that they should be caring and nurturing.
- The tension between the film-maker and the subject is clearly felt in the documentary.
- linking verb (not used in the progressive tenses) to give you a particular feeling or impression
- + adj. This situation doesn't feel right.
- You need to go somewhere that feels safe.
- My mouth felt completely dry.
- it feels + adj. to do something It felt strange to be back in my old school.
- feel like something The place still feels like a small fishing village.
- it feels like something The interview only took ten minutes, but it felt like hours.
- I've lived here for years, but it still doesn't feel like home.
- It feels like rain (= seems likely to rain).
- It's three degrees right now, but with the wind chill factor it feels like minus 12.
- How does it feel to be alone all day?
- feel as if/though… Her head felt as if it would burst.
- it feels as if/though… It felt as though he had run a marathon.
Extra Examples- My eyes feel sore.
- My stomach feels bloated.
- The house feels warm and cosy.
- The end result feels totally different.
- I enjoy it so much, it doesn't feel like work.
- The whole thing felt like a dream.
- It feels great to be home.
- It feels intrusive to go into someone's bedroom when they're not there.
- Does it feel weird to think he's not coming back?
- The house feels as if something is missing.
- The paintings feel as if they've been done with great emotion.
- It feels as if something exciting is going to happen.
- My legs feel as though they've been beaten with sticks.
- It feels as though someone is lurking in the shadows.
- It sometimes feels like I'm not welcome here.
- The plan definitely felt like it was going to work.
- linking verb (not used in the progressive tenses) to have a particular physical quality that you become aware of by touching
- + adj. The water feels warm.
- Its skin feels really smooth.
- feel like something This wallet feels like leather.
- Your hands feel like ice.
Extra Examples- The room felt cold.
- The dress felt really silky.
- It made my hair smell fresh and feel soft.
- The sand under my feet felt cool and velvety.
- This bed feels too hard.
- The breeze felt wonderful on my cheek.
- The leaves are so rough, they feel like sandpaper.
- Her skin felt like velvet.
- What is it? It feels like jelly.
- It feels exactly like real sheepskin.
- [transitive] to deliberately move your fingers over something in order to find out what it is like
- feel something Can you feel the bump on my head?
- Try to tell what this is just by feeling it.
- People like to touch and feel the fabric before they buy.
- feel how, what, etc… Feel how rough this is.
Extra Examples- Tangible assets are things that you can touch and feel.
- You get the chance to see, smell and feel the products.
- The doctor felt his abdomen.
- I gently felt the cut on his knee.
- Feel how soft my hair is.
- Can you feel how itchy this sweater is?
- Can you feel what this is?
- [transitive, intransitive] (not usually used in the progressive tenses) to think or believe that something is the case; to have a particular opinion or attitude
- feel (that)… We all felt (that) we were unlucky to lose.
- We've always felt this was our home.
- I felt (that) I had to apologize.
- I feel I could continue playing until I am 35.
- + adv./prep. This is something I feel strongly about.
- How do you feel about inviting the children too?
- I didn't know you felt like that about it.
- feel it + noun She felt it her duty to tell the police.
- I feel it a great honour to be chosen.
- feel it to be + noun She felt it to be the best course of action to remain.
- feel it + adj. Why did you feel it necessary to do that?
- I felt it advisable to do nothing.
- feel it to be + adj. We felt it to be unfortunate.
- This decision is, I feel, a huge mistake.
Synonyms thinkthink- believe
- feel
- reckon
- be under the impression
- think to have an idea that something is true or possible, although you are not completely certain; to have a particular opinion about somebody/something:
- Do you think (that) they’ll come?
- Well, I like it. What do you think?
- believe to have an idea that something is true or possible, although you are not completely certain; to have a particular opinion about somebody/something:
- Police believe (that) the man may be armed.
- feel to have a particular opinion about something that has happened or about what you/somebody ought to do:
- We all felt (that) we were unlucky to lose.
- reckon (informal) to think that something is true or possible:
- I reckon (that) I’m going to get that job.
- be under the impression that… to have an idea that something is true:
- I was under the impression that the work had already been completed.
- to think/believe/feel/reckon/be under the impression that…
- It is thought/believed/reckoned that…
- to be thought/believed/felt/reckoned to be something
- to think/believe/feel something about somebody/something
- to sincerely/honestly/seriously/mistakenly think/believe/feel
Extra ExamplesTopics Opinion and argumenta2- We all feel similarly about this issue.
- I still feel it was wrong to involve her.
- I personally feel that someone new should be appointed.
- Do you feel there is any justification for this claim?
- He feels very strongly about a lot of issues.
- It's a chance for people to say what they feel about the changes.
- I'm not sure how I feel about the new boss.
- Many people think this is a good thing, but I feel differently.
- You might feel it a good idea to read the document first.
- I feel it absurd that anyone should question this.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- deeply
- strongly
- really
- …
- about
- for
- [transitive] feel something to experience the effects or results of something, often strongly
- He feels the cold a lot.
- Cathy was really feeling the heat.
- We're all starting to feel the pressure at work.
- I was OK after my run, but I'll feel it tomorrow.
- She felt her mother's death very deeply.
- The effects of the recession are being felt everywhere.
- We all felt the force of her arguments.
- Her loss has been keenly felt.
Extra Examples- I don't feel the cold.
- I felt their pain.
- I'm 65 now, and I'm starting to feel my age.
- You may be fine immediately after going to the gym, but feel it more the next day.
- It was some months after his wife's death that he really began to feel his loss.
- The trauma can continue to be felt for years afterwards.
- All sides feel the pressure to reach an agreement.
- We're all still feeling the shock of the election result.
- We all felt the weight of her loss.
- His influence is still felt today.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- deeply
- strongly
- really
- …
- about
- for
- [intransitive] to search for something with your hands, feet, etc.
- + adv./prep. She felt in her bag and pulled out a pen.
- If you feel under the desk you'll find a hook.
- feel for something She felt for the step with her foot.
- + adv./prep. for something I had to feel about in the dark for the light switch.
- He felt in his pockets for some money.
Extra Examples- I felt around in my bag for a tissue.
- He felt around in the drawer but there was nothing but paper.
- Feel in the bottom of the wardrobe—there should be a bag.
- I felt along the wall until I found the switch.
- He felt for a foothold.
- She was feeling around in the kitchen cupboards for some sugar.
- She felt along the bench for her towel.
well/sick/happy/sad, etc.
be/become aware
give impression
touch
think/believe
be strongly affected
search with hands
Word OriginOld English fēlan, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch voelen and German fühlen.
Idioms
be/feel flattered
- to be pleased because somebody has made you feel important or special
- He was flattered by her attention.
- I felt flattered at being asked to give a lecture.
- She was flattered to hear that he had been asking about her.
- I suppose we should be flattered that he agreed to come at all.
be/feel hard done by
- (informal) to be or feel unfairly treated
- She has every right to feel hard done by—her parents have given her nothing.
be/feel honoured (to do something)
- to feel proud and happy
- I was honoured to have been mentioned in his speech.
- ‘Would you be my best man?’ ‘I’d be honoured.’
be/feel like jelly | turn to jelly
- (of legs or knees) to feel weak because you are nervous
feel your age
- to realize that you are getting old, especially compared with people you are with who are younger than you
feel free (to do something)
- (informal) used to tell somebody that they are allowed to do something
- Feel free to ask questions if you don't understand.
- ‘Can I use your phone?’ ‘Feel free.’
feel good
- to feel happy, confident, etc.
- It makes me feel good to know my work is appreciated.
feel (it) in your bones (that…)
- (informal) to be certain about something even though you do not have any direct proof and cannot explain why you are certain
- I know I'm going to fail this exam—I can feel it in my bones.
feel like something/like doing something
- (informal) to want to have or do something
- I feel like a drink.
- We all felt like celebrating.
- He felt like bursting into tears.
- We'll go for a walk if you feel like it.
feel the pinch
- (informal) to not have enough money
- Lots of people who have lost their jobs are starting to feel the pinch.
feel your way
- to move along carefully, for example when it is dark, by touching walls, objects, etc.
- to be careful about how you do things, usually because you are in a situation that you are not familiar with
- She was new in the job, still feeling her way.
(feel) honour-bound to do something
- (formal) to feel that you must do something because of your sense of moral duty
- She felt honour-bound to attend as she had promised to.
- He felt honour bound to help her.
look/feel like death warmed up (British English)
(North American English like death warmed over)
- (informal) to look or feel very ill or tired
look/feel like a million dollars/bucks
- (informal) to look/feel extremely good
- Wow, you look like a million dollars.
look/feel small
- to look or feel stupid, weak, ashamed, etc.
- There’s no need to make me look small in front of all these people.
- I felt really small when I realized how much time he’d spent on it.
make your presence felt
- to do something to make people very aware of the fact that you are there; to have a strong influence on a group of people or a situation
- She’s only been here a couple of weeks but she is already making her presence felt.
- She certainly made her presence felt in the boardroom.
not be/feel up to the mark
- (British English, old-fashioned) not to feel as well or lively as usual
- I’m not feeling up to the mark at the moment.
not feel yourself
- to not feel healthy and well
- I’m not quite feeling myself today.