What is feeling? Pronunciation and usage in English

feeling means . Learn how to pronounce and use feeling through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of feeling

feelingnoun

/ˈfiːlɪŋ/
Definition & pronunciation of feeling

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "feeling." It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • FEEL-ing

Let's break that down further:

  1. "Feel": This part is straightforward. It sounds like "feel" (rhymes with "steel"). The emphasis is on the first syllable.

  2. "-ing": This is where the difficulty lies. It's not just a simple "ing." It's a slightly elongated vowel sound. Here’s how to approach it:

    • Sound: The "-ing" is pronounced as "een" – like the beginning of the word "been." This "een" sound is a little bit shorter than the "ee" in "feel."
    • Linking: It links smoothly with the "feel" sound. You almost don't hear a sharp pause between the two syllables.

Putting it together:

Imagine flowing from the “feel” sound into the “een” sound. It’s a connected sound – think of it as "FEEL-een."

Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don’t say “feel-ing” with a pause: This is the biggest mistake. The sounds flow together.

  • Avoid adding an extra "uh" sound: Don't say "feel-ing - uh".

  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear native speakers. Here are some resources:

    • Google Translate: Type "feeling" into Google Translate, and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/feeling/ - This website has pronunciations from native speakers around the world.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce feeling" on YouTube - you'll find many videos.

Would you like me to:

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Usage and examples with the word feeling in English

Let's break down how to use the word "feeling" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with different meanings and uses. Here's a detailed explanation, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Noun (Describing Emotions):

This is the most common use of "feeling." It refers to an emotional state.

  • Basic Emotions: “I'm feeling happy today.” “She’s feeling sad.” “He’s feeling angry.” “I'm feeling nervous.” “They’re feeling excited.”
  • More Complex Emotions: "I'm feeling frustrated with the situation." "She's feeling overwhelmed by her workload." "He's feeling insecure about his job." "I'm feeling a deep sense of loneliness."
  • Phrases:
    • "Feeling blue” – feeling sad
    • "Feeling under the weather” – feeling unwell
    • "Feeling down” – feeling sad or depressed
    • "Feeling on top of the world” – feeling extremely happy and confident
    • "Feeling a bit anxious” - a little worried

2. As a Verb (Expressing or Experiencing Emotions):

Here, "feeling" means to be aware of or experiencing an emotion.

  • "I'm feeling..." - This is a very common way to describe your emotional state. “I’m feeling tired.” “I’m feeling grateful.” “I’m feeling confused.”
  • “He/She/They are feeling…” – Again, describing someone’s emotional state. “He is feeling better now.” “She is feeling optimistic.” “They are feeling more relaxed.”
  • "I feel..." - Often used to express a more immediate or general reaction. “I feel like going for a walk.” (meaning “I want to go for a walk”) "I feel that..." (expressing an opinion or belief).

3. Physical Sensations (Sometimes):

Occasionally, “feeling” can refer to a physical sensation, though this usage is less frequent than its emotional meaning.

  • “I’m feeling a headache coming on.” "She felt a sharp pain in her arm.”

4. Figurative Language – "Feeling" as a Sense:

  • You can use "feeling" to describe a sense beyond the five traditional senses. For example: “I’m feeling a connection to this place.” (meaning you’re sensing an atmosphere or vibe)

Tips for Using "Feeling" Effectively:

  • Specificity: Try to be as specific as possible about what you're feeling. Instead of “I’m feeling bad,” say “I’m feeling stressed” or “I’m feeling disappointed.”
  • Combine with Adjectives: Adding adjectives helps to paint a clearer picture. “I’m feeling incredibly happy.” “I’m feeling slightly nervous.”
  • Context is Key: The meaning of “feeling” depends heavily on the context of the conversation.

Examples in Sentences:

  • "How are you feeling after the doctor's appointment?"
  • "I’m feeling really motivated to start a new project."
  • "She's been feeling down lately because of the breakup."
  • “I felt a surge of adrenaline when I saw the accident."
  • “He’s feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the preparations for the wedding.”

Resources for Further Learning:

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Synonyms for the word feeling

Idioms of the word feeling

bad/ill feeling
anger between people, especially after an argument
  • There was a lot of bad feeling between the two groups of students.
  • I don't want any bad feelings between us.
no hard feelings
used after you have been arguing with somebody or have beaten them in a contest but you would still like to be friendly with them
  • It looks like I'm the winner again. No hard feelings, Dave, eh?
  • Someone has to lose. No hard feelings, eh?
a/that sinking feeling
(informal)an unpleasant feeling that you get when you realize that something bad has happened or is going to happen
  • I had a horrible sinking feeling when I saw the ambulance outside the house.
spare somebody’s feelings
to be careful not to do or say anything that might upset somebody
  • I kept off the subject of divorce so as to spare her feelings.

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