- feel
- feel1 W1S1 [fi:l] v past tense and past participle felt [felt]▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(feeling/emotion)¦2¦(notice)¦3¦(feel smooth/dry etc)¦4¦(feel good/strange/exciting etc)¦5¦(have an opinion)¦6 feel like (doing) something7¦(touch)¦8 feel around/on/in etc something (for something)9 feel the force/effects/benefits etc of something10 feel the need to do something11 feel your way12 feel free13 I know (just/exactly) how you feel14 not feel yourself15 feel your age16 feel the cold/heat17 feel a death/a loss etcPhrasal verbsfeel for somebodyfeel somebody<=>outfeel somebody<=>upfeel up to something▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[: Old English; Origin: felan]1.) ¦(FEELING/EMOTION)¦ [linking verb, T]to experience a particular physical feeling or emotion▪ Do you still feel hungry?▪ You can never tell what he's feeling.▪ Stop exercising if you feel any pain.feel fine/good/comfortable etc▪ I'm feeling a little better today.▪ Marie immediately felt guilty.feel as if/as though▪ When his dad left, he felt as though his world had turned upside-down.▪ I felt like I'd really achieved something.2.) ¦(NOTICE)¦ [T not in progressive]to notice something that is happening to you, especially something that is touching you▪ She felt his warm breath on her cheek.▪ The earthquake was felt as far south as San Diego.feel sb/sth do sth▪ She felt his arms go round her.feel yourself doing sth▪ I felt myself blushing.3.) ¦(FEEL SMOOTH/DRY ETC)¦ [linking verb]to give you a particular physical feeling, especially when you touch or hold somethingfeel smooth/cold/damp etc▪ Her hands felt rough.▪ The house felt hot and stuffy.feel as if/as though▪ My leg feels as if it's broken.▪ It's nice fabric - it feels like velvet.4.) ¦(FEEL GOOD/STRANGE/EXCITING ETC)¦ [linking verb]if a situation, event etc feels good, strange etc, that is the emotion or feeling that it gives you▪ After twenty years, seeing him again felt very strange.feel ... to be/do sth▪ It felt wonderful to be wearing clean clothes again.▪ How does it feel to be 40?▪ It's been a year since her daughter died, but to her, it still feels like yesterday.5.) ¦(HAVE AN OPINION)¦ [T not usually in progressive]to have a particular opinion, especially one that is based on your feelings, not on factsfeel (that)▪ Some of the parents felt the school wasn't doing enough about bullying.feel about▪ How would you feel about working with Nicole for a while?▪ The experience of rape can change how a woman feels about her body.feel sure/certain(=think that something is definitely true)▪ She felt sure she'd made the right decision.6.) feel like (doing) sthspoken to want to have something or do something▪ He didn't feel like going to work.▪ Do you feel like another drink?7.) ¦(TOUCH)¦ [T]to touch something with your fingers to find out about it▪ She felt his forehead. Perhaps he had a temperature.▪ Mum, feel this stone. Isn't it smooth?feel how hard/soft/rough etc sth is▪ He could feel how damp his shirt was against his chest.8.) feel around/on/in etc sth (for sth)to search for something with your fingers▪ She felt in her bag for a pencil.9.) feel the force/effects/benefits etc of sthto experience the good or bad results of something▪ The local economy is beginning to feel the effects of the recession.10.) feel the need to do sthto believe that you need to do something▪ Children who can talk to their parents feel less need to try drugs.11.) feel your waya) to move carefully, with your hands out in front of you, because you cannot see properly▪ Silently, she felt her way across the room.b) to do things slowly and carefully, because you are not completely sure about a new situationfeel your way towards▪ The European Union is still feeling its way towards common policies.12.) feel freespoken used to tell someone that they can do something if they want to▪ 'Could I use your phone for a minute?' 'Feel free.'feel free to do sth▪ Please feel free to make suggestions.13.) I know (just/exactly) how you feelspoken used to express sympathy with someone or with a remark they have just made▪ I know how you feel, Mark, but maybe it's better not to confront him.14.) not feel yourselfspoken to not feel as healthy or happy as usual▪ I don't know what's wrong. I just don't feel quite myself.15.) feel your ageto realize that you are not as young or active as you used to be▪ Looking at his grandson made him really feel his age.16.) feel the cold/heatto suffer because of cold or hot weather▪ Old people tend to feel the cold more.17.) feel a death/a loss etcto react very strongly to a bad event, especially someone's death▪ Susan felt her grandmother's death more than the others.feel for [feel for sb] phr vto feel sympathy for someone▪ At the Center, the other mothers know what it's like, and they really feel for you.feel out [feel sb<=>out] phr vto find out what someone's opinions or feelings are, without asking them directly▪ I thought I'd feel out some of my colleagues before the meeting.feel up [feel sb<=>up] phr vto touch someone sexually, without their permissionfeel up to [feel up to sth] phr vto have the strength, energy etc to do something▪ I just didn't feel up to going.feel 2feel2 S3 n1.) [singular]a quality that something has that makes you feel or think a particular way about it▪ Despite their age, the photographs have a modern feel.feel about▪ The restaurant has a nice relaxed feel about it.2.) [singular]the way that something feels when you touch itfeel of▪ I like the feel of this cloth.▪ a soft feathery feel3.) have/get/give a feel for sth informalto have or develop an understanding of something and skill in doing it▪ exercises that give a child a feel for numbers and measurements4.) [U]when you use your hands, body etc to feel something= ↑touch by feel▪ She found the light switch by feel.
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.