A to Z of feelings with meanings and examples in English

Exploring Feelings from A to Z: Meanings and Examples

Understanding and expressing feelings is a crucial part of mastering any language. In this lesson, we will delve into the A to Z of feelings, providing detailed meanings and examples for a comprehensive range of emotions. By the end of this lesson, you will have a richer emotional vocabulary and be able to express yourself more precisely in English.

Useful Vocabulary for Feelings

Before we begin, let's review some key vocabulary terms that will help you understand and discuss feelings more effectively:

• Emotion: A strong feeling deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.
• Feeling: An emotional state or reaction.
• Adjective: A word that describes a noun or pronoun.
• Verb: A word that describes an action, state, or occurrence.
• Noun: A word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea.

Now, let's explore each feeling in detail, starting from A and going all the way to Z.

Detailed Meanings and Examples

Angry

Meaning: Feeling or showing strong annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.

Examples:

1. He was angry because his flight was delayed.
2. She felt angry when she saw the mess in her room.
3. They were angry at the unfair decision.

Bewildered

Meaning: Perplexed and confused; very puzzled.

Examples:

1. The student looked bewildered after the complex explanation.
2. She was bewildered by the sudden change in plans.
3. He felt bewildered when he couldn't find his keys.

Confused

Meaning: Unable to think clearly; bewildered.

Examples:

1. He was confused by the instructions.
2. She felt confused about which route to take.
3. They were confused by the unexpected question.

Depressed

Meaning: In a state of unhappiness or despondency.

Examples:

1. She felt depressed after losing her job.
2. He has been depressed since his pet passed away.
3. They were depressed about the rainy weather.

Enthusiastic

Meaning: Having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.

Examples:

1. The children were enthusiastic about the trip to the zoo.
2. She is always enthusiastic about new projects.
3. He was enthusiastic when he heard the good news.

Frightened

Meaning: Afraid or anxious.

Examples:

1. The loud noise made her feel frightened.
2. He was frightened by the sudden appearance of the dog.
3. They were frightened of the dark.

Glad

Meaning: Feeling pleasure or happiness.

Examples:

1. She was glad to see her old friends.
2. He felt glad when he passed the exam.
3. They were glad about the successful event.

Happy

Meaning: Feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.

Examples:

1. She felt happy on her birthday.
2. He was happy to hear the good news.
3. They were happy to spend the day together.

Irritated

Meaning: Showing or feeling slight anger; annoyed.

Examples:

1. The constant noise made him irritated.
2. She was irritated by the repeated interruptions.
3. They felt irritated waiting in the long queue.

Joyful

Meaning: Feeling, expressing, or causing great pleasure and happiness.

Examples:

1. The celebration was filled with joyful laughter.
2. She felt joyful after receiving the award.
3. He had a joyful expression on his face.

Kooky

Meaning: Strange or eccentric.

Examples:

1. Her kooky sense of humour always makes us laugh.
2. He wore a kooky hat to the party.
3. The film was filled with kooky characters.

Low

Meaning: Feeling sad or depressed.

Examples:

1. She felt low after hearing the bad news.
2. He has been feeling low lately.
3. They were low because of the gloomy weather.

Melancholy

Meaning: A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.

Examples:

1. The old song filled him with melancholy.
2. She felt a melancholy longing for the past.
3. The film had a melancholy atmosphere.

Nervous

Meaning: Easily agitated or alarmed; tending to be anxious.

Examples:

1. He felt nervous before the job interview.
2. She was nervous about the upcoming exam.
3. They were nervous during the storm.

Overjoyed

Meaning: Extremely happy.

Examples:

1. She was overjoyed with her exam results.
2. He felt overjoyed when his team won.
3. They were overjoyed at the birth of their baby.

Proud

Meaning: Feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one’s own achievements.

Examples:

1. He felt proud of his accomplishments.
2. She was proud of her children's success.
3. They were proud to represent their country.

Queasy

Meaning: Feeling sick; nauseous.

Examples:

1. The boat ride made him feel queasy.
2. She felt queasy after eating too much.
3. They felt queasy during the turbulent flight.

Rowdy

Meaning: Noisy and disorderly.

Examples:

1. The rowdy crowd was hard to control.
2. He had a rowdy behaviour at the concert.
3. They were rowdy during the party.

Shocked

Meaning: Surprised and upset.

Examples:

1. She was shocked by the unexpected news.
2. He felt shocked when he saw the damage.
3. They were shocked at the high prices.

Terrified

Meaning: Very frightened.

Examples:

1. The haunted house left her terrified.
2. He was terrified of heights.
3. They felt terrified during the earthquake.

Upset

Meaning: Unhappy, disappointed, or worried.

Examples:

1. She felt upset after the argument.
2. He was upset about losing his wallet.
3. They were upset by the cancelled plans.

Victorious

Meaning: Having won a victory.

Examples:

1. The team felt victorious after the match.
2. She was victorious in the competition.
3. They were victorious against their rivals.

Worried

Meaning: Anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems.

Examples:

1. She felt worried about her exams.
2. He was worried about his health.
3. They were worried about the future.

(E)Xcited

Meaning: Very enthusiastic and eager.

Examples:

1. She was excited about her upcoming trip.
2. He felt excited to start his new job.
3. They were excited to see the fireworks.

Yucky

Meaning: Disgusting or unpleasant.

Examples:

1. The food tasted yucky.
2. She felt yucky after eating too much candy.
3. He thought the medicine was yucky.

Zany

Meaning: Amusingly unconventional and idiosyncratic.

Examples:

1. The comedian's zany antics made everyone laugh.
2. She wore a zany costume to the party.
3. He has a zany sense of humour.

Detailed Meanings and Examples

Aggressive

Meaning: Ready or likely to attack or confront; characterised by or resulting from aggression.

Examples:

1. His aggressive behaviour scared the children.
2. She took an aggressive stance on the issue.
3. The aggressive dog barked loudly at strangers.

Bewildered

Meaning: Perplexed and confused; very puzzled.

Examples:

1. The student looked bewildered after the complex explanation.
2. She was bewildered by the sudden change in plans.
3. He felt bewildered when he couldn't find his keys.

Content

Meaning: In a state of peaceful happiness.

Examples:

1. She felt content with her simple life.
2. He was content to sit by the fire and read a book.
3. They were content after a fulfilling meal.

Depressed

Meaning: In a state of unhappiness or despondency.

Examples:

1. She felt depressed after losing her job.
2. He has been depressed since his pet passed away.
3. They were depressed about the rainy weather.

Enthusiastic

Meaning: Having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.

Examples:

1. The children were enthusiastic about the trip to the zoo.
2. She is always enthusiastic about new projects.
3. He was enthusiastic when he heard the good news.

Frightened

Meaning: Afraid or anxious.

Examples:

1. The loud noise made her feel frightened.
2. He was frightened by the sudden appearance of the dog.
3. They were frightened of the dark.

Glad

Meaning: Feeling pleasure or happiness.

Examples:

1. She was glad to see her old friends.
2. He felt glad when he passed the exam.
3. They were glad about the successful event.

Hurt

Meaning: Feeling pain or distress.

Examples:

1. She was hurt by his harsh words.
2. He felt hurt when he was left out of the plans.
3. They were hurt by the betrayal.

Irritated

Meaning: Showing or feeling slight anger; annoyed.

Examples:

1. The constant noise made him irritated.
2. She was irritated by the repeated interruptions.
3. They felt irritated waiting in the long queue.

Jealous

Meaning: Feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages.

Examples:

1. He was jealous of his friend's new car.
2. She felt jealous when she saw her ex with someone new.
3. They were jealous of their sibling's success.

Keen

Meaning: Having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm.

Examples:

1. He is very keen on learning new languages.
2. She was keen to start her new job.
3. They were keen to try the new restaurant.

Laidback

Meaning: Relaxed and easy-going.

Examples:

1. He has a laidback approach to life.
2. She enjoyed the laidback atmosphere of the beach.
3. They had a laidback weekend without any plans.

Melancholy

Meaning: A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.

Examples:

1. The old song filled him with melancholy.
2. She felt a melancholy longing for the past.
3. The film had a melancholy atmosphere.

Nutty

Meaning: Amusingly eccentric or silly.

Examples:

1. Her nutty antics always make us laugh.
2. He wore a nutty hat to the party.
3. The film was filled with nutty characters.

Optimistic

Meaning: Hopeful and confident about the future.

Examples:

1. She is optimistic about her career prospects.
2. He felt optimistic after the positive meeting.
3. They are optimistic that things will improve.

Perplexed

Meaning: Completely baffled; very puzzled.

Examples:

1. He was perplexed by the complex puzzle.
2. She felt perplexed by the confusing directions.
3. They were perplexed about the sudden change in plans.

Quirky

Meaning: Having or characterised by peculiar or unexpected traits or aspects.

Examples:

1. She has a quirky sense of fashion.
2. He loves the quirky art pieces in the gallery.
3. The town is known for its quirky festivals.

Relieved

Meaning: No longer feeling distressed or anxious; reassured.

Examples:

1. She was relieved when the exam was over.
2. He felt relieved after finding his lost wallet.
3. They were relieved to hear the good news.

Shocked

Meaning: Surprised and upset.

Examples:

1. She was shocked by the unexpected news.
2. He felt shocked when he saw the damage.
3. They were shocked at the high prices.

Tearful

Meaning: Crying or inclined to cry.

Examples:

1. She became tearful during the sad movie.
2. He was tearful when he said goodbye.
3. They were tearful after the emotional speech.

Uneasy

Meaning: Feeling anxious or uncomfortable.

Examples:

1. She felt uneasy about the upcoming interview.
2. He was uneasy walking through the dark alley.
3. They felt uneasy with the new changes.

Vivacious

Meaning: Attractively lively and animated.

Examples:

1. She has a vivacious personality that lights up the room.
2. He loves her vivacious energy.
3. The party was full of vivacious guests.

Wise

Meaning: Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgement.

Examples:

1. He is known for his wise advice.
2. She made a wise decision to save money.
3. They sought the wise counsel of their mentor.

(E)Xcited

Meaning: Very enthusiastic and eager.

Examples:

1. She was excited about her upcoming trip.
2. He felt excited to start his new job.
3. They were excited to see the fireworks.

Youthful

Meaning: Having the qualities of youth, such as freshness, vigour, or immaturity.

Examples:

1. She has a youthful spirit despite her age.
2. He looks very youthful for his years.
3. They enjoyed the youthful exuberance of the children.

Zealous

Meaning: Having or showing zeal; passionate.

Examples:

1. He is a zealous supporter of the team.
2. She is zealous about her charity work.
3. They were zealous in their pursuit of justice.

Summary and Takeaways

In this lesson, we explored a comprehensive A to Z list of feelings, providing detailed meanings and examples for each. By expanding your emotional vocabulary, you can express yourself more clearly and understand others better. Remembering these feelings and their usage will enhance your communication skills in English.

Key phrases to remember:

• Understanding the distinction between various emotions.
• Using adjectives to describe feelings accurately.
• Enhancing your vocabulary with specific examples.

To reinforce your learning, try the following exercises on your own:

• Write sentences using each feeling adjective in different contexts.
• Practice speaking about your day using these emotions.
• Create a diary entry describing your feelings throughout the day.

By completing these exercises, you will improve your ability to express emotions and enhance your overall English language skills. For more lessons and tips, visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/learningenglishfree.co.uk. Share this lesson with your friends and encourage them to join our learning community. For additional help and resources, contact us on our Facebook page.