English Profile

feel · verb

/fiːl/Full view

Word family

Nouns: feel, feeler, feeling, feelings

Adjectives: unfeeling

Verbs: feel

feel (EXPERIENCE)

A1 I or T to experience something physical or emotional

Dictionary examples:

"How are you feeling?" "Not too bad, but I've still got a headache."

My eyes feel really sore.

I'm feeling really happy today!

I feel embarrassed about making so many mistakes.

Learner example:

I like Prague, because it is place where I feel good. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Slovak)

feel like/as if

B1 to have a feeling or idea about something that you have experienced even though it is not true

Dictionary examples:

I feel as if I've known you for ages.

It feels like I've been here forever and yet it's only been three months.

Learner example:

I feel like I've been here for ages. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Croatian)

feel like sth/doing sth ()

B1 to have a wish for something, or to want to do something, at a particular moment

Dictionary examples:

I feel like going for a swim.

I feel like a nice cool glass of lemonade.

"Are you coming to aerobics?" "No, I don't feel like it today."

He was so rude I felt like hitting him.

Learner example:

The weather is warm and I feel like swimming. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Singhalese)

feel like sb/sth ()

B1 to seem to be similar to a type of person, thing, or situation

Dictionary examples:

My feet feel like blocks of ice.

I felt like a fool when I saw what everyone else was wearing.

Learner example:

In front of these big towers, I feel like a tiny insect! (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)

feel (THINK/HAVE OPINION)

B1 I or T to think something or have an opinion

Dictionary examples:

I feel (that) I should be doing more to help her.

Do you feel very strongly about this?

I feel certain I'm right.

Learner example:

The more he got close to this man, the more he felt sure it was Chris, who died in a car crash in April 1972. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

feel sorry for

B1 to feel sympathy for someone because they are in a difficult situation

Dictionary example:

I feel so sorry for the children - it must be really hard for them.

Learner example:

Anyway, I feel sorry for her and I wonder: what would I do if I were her? (Preliminary English Test; B1; Vietnamese)

feel at home

B1 to feel happy and confident in a place or situation

Dictionary example:

After a month she felt at home in her new job.

Learner example:

I explained: "I was in Manchester for just 10 month[s] and [during] that time the people from there made me feel at home [so] I feel proud to have the accent." (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

feel (TOUCH)

B2 I or T to touch something, especially with your hands, in order to examine it

Dictionary examples:

I felt his head and it was hot.

Just feel how cold my hands are!

I was feeling around in my bag for the keys.

Learner example:

I tried to open the heavy door; I could feel the iron bar with my almost frozen fingers. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

feel different/strange, etc.

B2 If a place, situation, etc., feels different, strange, etc., that is how it seems to you, or that describes your experience of it.

Dictionary examples:

It felt strange to see him again after so long.

The house feels empty without the children.

Learner example:

It felt strange and yet so wonderful to ski in the summer! (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

feel (BE AWARE)

B2 T to be aware of something

Dictionary example:

I could feel them watching me.

Learner example:

I could feel the silence. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

feel compelled to do sth

C1 to feel that you should do something

Dictionary example:

He felt compelled to resign from his job.

Learner example:

As a member of the International Student's Sports Club, I felt compelled to write this article in answer to the previous article about how today's youth is putting sports and healthy activities aside. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Portuguese)

feel faint

C2 to feel very weak and as if you might fall down

Dictionary example:

Seeing all the blood made me feel faint.

Learner example:

Starting to feel faint, Fred quickly roused himself and ran out of the hotel as quickly as he could. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Chinese)