feel for

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

feel /fil/   v., felt/fɛlt/  feel•ing, n. 
v. 

1. Physiology to perceive (something) by direct physical contact:
   [not: be + ~-ing* ~ + object] I could feel a slight breeze.
2. to examine (something) by touch: [~ + object]
   I felt her forehead to see if she had a fever.
   [no object]
   I felt around in my pocket for a dime.
3. to find (one's way) by touching, groping, or cautious moves:
   [~ + object] I felt my way through the darkened room.
4. to experience the effects of;
   notice:
   [~ + object] The whole region felt the storm.
5. to have a particular sensation or impression of:
   [~ + oneself + verb(-ing)] I felt myself fly(ing) through the air. I felt my lips get(ting) dry.
6. to have a belief in;
   think:
   [not: be + ~-ing* ~ + (that) clause] I feel he's guilty.
7. to perceive or experience a state of mind or a condition of body;
   to have a sensation of being;
   to become conscious of: [~ + object]
   She felt pride in her accomplishments.
   [~ + adjective]
   I'm feeling fine.
8. to make itself felt, noticed, or apparent;
   seem;
   to give off sensations:
   [not: be + ~-ing* ~ + adjective] Her head feels cold.
9. Dialect Terms feel for, [~ + for + object]
   • to feel sympathy for or compassion toward;
     empathize with:
     I felt for you when your car was stolen.
10. feel out, to try to determine the mood or status of (a person or situation) by discreet, usually informal or unofficial inquiries: [ ~ + out + obj]:
    We'll feel out the manager on your idea.
    [ ~ + obj + out]:
    to feel her out on the new idea.

n. [countable* usually singular]

11. a quality of an object perceived by feeling or touching:
    the feel of satin.
12. a sensation of something felt;
    vague mental impression or feeling:
    a feel of sadness in the air.
13. the sense of touch:
    soft to the feel.
14. native ability or acquired sensitivity:
    to have a feel for teaching.

Idioms

15. Idioms, Informal Terms feel like:
    • to have a desire for;
      be favorably disposed toward:
      I felt like screaming at them.
    • [it + ~ + like + object* not: be + ~-ing] to appear or seem like:
      It feels like rain.
16. Idioms feel (like) oneself, [no obj] to be in one's normal healthy and happy state:
    You'll feel like yourself again tomorrow.
17. Idioms feel up to, [ ~ + obj] to feel strong or healthy enough to:
    He's not feeling up to running today.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

feel  (fēl), v., felt, feel•ing, n. 
v.t. 

1. Physiology to perceive or examine by touch.
2. Physiology to have a sensation of (something), other than by sight, hearing, taste, or smell:
   to feel a toothache.
3. to find or pursue (one's way) by touching, groping, or cautious moves.
4. to be or become conscious of.
5. to be emotionally affected by:
   to feel one's disgrace keenly.
6. to experience the effects of:
   The whole region felt the storm.
7. to have a particular sensation or impression of (often used reflexively and usually fol. by an adjunct or complement):
   to feel oneself slighted.
8. to have a general or thorough conviction of;
   think;
   believe:
   I feel he's guilty.

v.i. 

9. Physiology to have perception by touch or by any nerves of sensation other than those of sight, hearing, taste, and smell.
10. to make examination by touch;
    grope.
11. to perceive a state of mind or a condition of body:
    to feel happy; to feel well.
12. to have a sensation of being:
    to feel warm.
13. to make itself perceived or apparent;
    seem:
    How does it feel to be rich?
14. Dialect Terms feel for:
    • to feel sympathy for or compassion toward;
      empathize with:
      I know you're disappointed and upset, and I feel for you.
    • , Dialect Terms [Southeastern Pennsylvania and Maryland.] to have a liking or desire for:
      If you feel for more pie, just help yourself.
15. Informal Terms feel like, to have a desire for;
    be favorably disposed to:
    I don't feel like going out tonight. Do you feel like a movie?
16. Idioms feel like oneself, to be in one's usual frame of mind or state of health:
    She hasn't been feeling like herself since the accident.
    Also, feel oneself. 
17. Informal Terms, Idioms feel no pain. See pain (def. 5).
18. feel out, to attempt to ascertain (the nature of a situation, someone's attitude, etc.) by indirect or subtle means:
    Why not feel out the other neighbors' opinions before you make a complaint.
19. feel up, Slang (vulgar). to fondle or touch (someone) in a sexual manner.
20. Informal Terms feel up to, to feel or be able to;
    be capable of:
    He didn't feel up to going to the theater so soon after his recent illness.

n. 

21. a quality of an object that is perceived by feeling or touching:
    the soft feel of cotton.
22. a sensation of something felt;
    a vague mental impression or feeling:
    a feel of winter; a feel of sadness in the air.
23. the sense of touch:
    soft to the feel.
24. native ability or acquired sensitivity:
    to have a feel for what is right.
25. Informal Terms an act or instance of touching with the hand or fingers.
26. Slang Terms (vulgar). an act or instance of feeling up.
27. Slang Terms, Idioms cop a feel, Slang (vulgar). to touch another person's body sexually, often in a quick and surreptitious way.

• bef. 900; Middle English felen, Old English fēlan; cognate with Old Saxon fōlian, German fühlen; akin to Old Norse falma to grope. See fumble