To feel is to experience something through your senses or emotions. When you touch a cat's fur, you feel its softness. When you stub your toe, you feel a sharp pain. When your best friend moves away, you feel sad.

The word covers both physical sensations and inner experiences. You might feel hungry before lunch, feel the warmth of sunshine on your face, or feel proud after finishing a difficult project. Sometimes we feel things we can't quite name: a feeling of excitement before a field trip, or an uneasy feeling that you've forgotten something important.

People also use “feel” to talk about opinions or beliefs. When you say “I feel like we should take a different route,” you mean it seems right to you, even if you can't fully explain why. A teacher might ask “How do you feel about this character's choice?” to understand your thoughts.

Feelings are the emotions we experience: happiness, fear, jealousy, courage, disappointment, love. Learning to recognize and understand your feelings can help you explain yourself to others. When someone asks “How are you feeling?” they're checking on both your physical state and your emotional well-being.