What is feel? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of feel

feelverb

/fiːl/
Definition & pronunciation of feel

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "feel" in English. Here's a breakdown:

The most common pronunciation (American English):

  • ˈfiːl (stress on the first syllable)

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. "fi": Pronounced like "fee" (as in "fee" for a tip). It's a short, clear "ee" sound.
  2. "–": This is a schwa sound – a very weak, neutral vowel sound. It's almost like you're saying "uh" quickly. It’s very short and doesn’t have a defined vowel sound.
  3. "l": Pronounced like the "l" in "light".

The British English pronunciation:

  • fɪːl (stress on the first syllable)

The difference in British English is that the first vowel is pronounced with a longer, higher "ee" sound (fɪːl).

Tips for getting it right:

Resources for Hearing Pronunciation:

  • Google Translate: Type "feel" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon to hear the pronunciation.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/feel/ – A website with pronunciations recorded by native speakers from various countries.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you a more detailed breakdown of any specific aspect of the pronunciation?
  • Provide some example sentences using the word "feel"?

Usage and examples with the word feel in English

Let's break down how to use the word "feel" in English – it's a very versatile word! It can be used in a surprising number of ways. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Feeling as a Verb (Experiencing Emotions/Sensations)

This is the most common use. "Feel" describes an emotional or physical sensation.

  • Emotions: This is the most frequently heard usage.

    • "I feel happy." (Positive emotion)
    • "She feels sad." (Negative emotion)
    • "He feels anxious/nervous/excited/angry/frustrated/lonely…” (Various emotions)
    • "I feel grateful for your help."
    • "They feel disappointed about the outcome."

  • Physical Sensations: "Feel" describes physical sensations you experience.

    • "I feel cold."
    • "It feels hot."
    • "The pillow feels soft." (Texture)
    • "I feel a headache coming on."
    • "I feel tired."
    • "I feel hungry."
    • "I feel dizzy."

2. Feeling as a Noun (The State of Being)

Here, "feeling" refers to the state of being something – often an emotion.

  • "She has a feeling that something is wrong." (Intuition, hunch)
  • “He’s in a bad feeling.” (A state of sadness or negativity)
  • "I have a feeling about this meeting." (Premonition)
  • “I have a feeling that they won’t be coming.”

3. "I Feel Like..." (Expressing a Desire or Inclination)

This construction expresses a desire to do something or a feeling of being suited for something.

  • “I feel like eating pizza.” (I want to eat pizza)
  • “I feel like staying in and watching a movie.” (I want to relax at home)
  • “I feel like going for a walk.” (I have the urge to walk)
  • “I feel like I should study more.” (I have a sense of obligation)

4. "I Feel That..." (Expressing an Opinion or Belief)

This is used to express a personal judgment or argumentative statement.

  • “I feel that you're being unfair." (I believe this is true.)
  • “I feel that this is the right decision.” (I think it’s correct.)

5. "Feel Like" as an Informal Verb (Slang – About Taste/Preference)

(This is less formal and more common in casual conversation)

  • “This coffee feels like it needs a little sugar.” (It tastes like it needs sugar)
  • “This music feels like it’s from the 80s.” (It sounds like it’s from the 80s)

Important Notes and Nuances:

  • "How do you feel?" – This is a very common question asking about someone’s current emotional state. A typical response would be "I feel fine," "I feel great," "I feel a little stressed," etc.

  • "I feel..." vs. "I am..." – While sometimes interchangeable, “I feel…” often refers to a more immediate, transient emotion or sensation. “I am…” is often used for more permanent states (e.g., “I am happy,” “I am tired”). However, the distinction isn’t always strict.

  • Avoiding Overuse: “Feel” is a common word, but overusing it can make your writing or speech sound repetitive. Consider synonyms (e.g., “experience,” “sense,” “notice”) in some contexts.

Resources for More Practice:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

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Synonyms for the word feel

Practice with vocabulary feel

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After a long day of negotiations, I usually _______ a sense of accomplishment.
  2. The project manager asked us to _______ the feasibility of the new timeline before committing.
  3. I always _______ a sense of calm when I meditate in the morning.
  4. Even from a distance, he could _______ the tension in the room.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. After the successful product launch, the team members all seemed to ________ a great sense of pride. a) think b) experience c) feel d) believe

  2. The consultant asked how the new organizational structure would ________ to employees. a) appear b) feel c) seem d) sound

  3. When you touch the prototype, does the material ________ smooth or rough? a) feel b) sense c) touch d) appear

  4. The auditor needed to ________ the financial records thoroughly for any discrepancies. a) feel b) inspect c) review d) assess

  5. Despite extensive research, some executives still ________ that the proposed market strategy is too risky. a) perceive b) believe c) assume d) feel

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: It appears to me that the current market conditions favor growth. Rewrite (use "feel" or related word forms): I ____________________________________________________________________.

  2. Original: She was experiencing extreme discomfort after the long flight. Rewrite (use "feel" or related word forms): After the long flight, she was ____________________________________________.

  3. Original: The data suggests that the trend is shifting towards online collaboration. Rewrite (do NOT use "feel" or related word forms): The data _______________________________________________________________.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. feel
  2. assess
  3. feel
  4. sense

Exercise 2:

  1. b) experience, c) feel
  2. a) appear, b) feel, c) seem
  3. a) feel
  4. b) inspect, c) review, d) assess
  5. b) believe, c) assume, d) feel

Exercise 3:

  1. I feel that the current market conditions favor growth.
  2. After the long flight, she was feeling extremely uncomfortable.
  3. The data indicates that the trend is shifting towards online collaboration.

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