Are you looking for an explanation of how to use 'feel' or 'felt?' If so, you are in luck!
Here is a short answer in case you are short on time:
- 'Feel' is the present tense form of the verb that means to touch or to become aware of through touching.
- 'Felt' is the past tense form of the verb feel.
The story doesn't end there, though. 'Feel' and 'felt' both have other definitions. So, if you want to learn all of the ways to use these words, keep reading!
What's the Difference Between 'Feel' or 'Felt?'
Both of these words can be verbs and nouns. When used as a verb, 'feel' is the present tense form, and 'felt' is the past tense form of the word.
- When 'felt' is used as a noun, it means a woven fabric made from a blend of cotton and wool.
- 'Feel' is a noun; it means the sense of touch.
So, the difference between these two terms depends on the context or the part of speech you are using.
Definition of 'Feel': What Does 'Feel' Mean?
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 'feel' is a verb that means:
- Handle or touch to examine, explore, or test the quality
- A physical sensation originating from discrete end organs, like skin or muscles
- To undergo a passive experience of
- To have one's sensibilities affected markedly by
- To ascertain through careful investigation
- To be aware of through inference or instinct
- Think or believe
- To know or understand how someone feels
- To receive or have the ability to receive a tactile sensation
- To search for something by using touch
- To be aware of an inward state of mind, impression, or physical condition
- To have a marked opinion or sentiment
- Seem
- To have pity or sympathy for
'Feel' can also be a noun that means:
- Feeling or sensation
- A peculiar or typical atmosphere or quality
- The quality of something as perceived through touch
- The quality of something as if perceived through touch
- Intuitive ability or knowledge
Synonyms of 'Feel'
- Sense
- Perceive
- Taste
- See
- Notice
- Smell
- Hear
- Expect
- Realize
- Scent
- Sight
- Note
- Discern
- Suppose
- Find out
- Discover
- Foresee
- Ascertain
- Guess
- View
- Eye
- Observe
- Witness
- Assume
- Spy
- Surmise
- Behold
Definition of 'Felt': What Does 'Felt' Mean?
The same source defines 'felt' as a verb defined as:
- The past tense and past participle form of the verb feel
- Cover with or make out of felt
- To cause to mat or adhere together
- To make something into felt or a similar material
'Felt' can also be a noun defined as:
- Cloth-made fur, wool, and cotton, along with synthetic fibers that are bonded through the action of moisture, heat, chemicals, and pressure
- A firm woven fabric consisting of cotton and wool that is heavily shrunk or napped
- Something made of felt material
- A material that resembles felt
- A heavy paper used in buildings that is made of asbestos or organic fibers combined with asphalt
- Semirigid pressed fiber building material used for insulation
Synonyms of 'Felt'
- Sensed
- Perceived
- Saw
- Heard
- Tasted
- Expected
- Seen
- Smelt
- Realized
- Learned
- Remarked
- Observed
- Viewed
- Witnessed
- Experienced
- Assumed
- Suspected
- Ascertained
- Foresee
- Spied
- Sighted
- Surmissed
- Beheld
- Eyed
- Found out
- Presumed
- Sighted
Pronunciation: How to Pronounce 'Feel' and 'Felt'
Whether you are an experienced ebook writer or an aspiring speech writer, pronunciation is vital. Knowing the correct pronunciation of terms gives you more confidence to use them.
It also helps writers remember which term to use and how to spell it. So, here is a guide you can reference for pronouncing 'feel' or 'felt.'
- Use this phonetic spelling to pronounce 'feel':
fēl
- Use this phonetic spelling to pronounce 'felt':
felt
Writing Tips: When and How to Use 'Feel' or 'Felt'
You learned the difference between these words and their definitions. However, you may still be confused about when to use each term. So, here are some writing tips to help clarify.
- Use 'feel' as a present tense verb.
For example, you could say:
Do you feel the cold wind on your face?
- Use 'felt' as the past tense form of the verb feel.
As an example, I might say:
It felt much colder in Houston, where the humidity is higher.
- Use 'feel' as a noun for a feeling, sensation, or sense of touch.
So, you might hear someone say something like:
During our journeys, I could feel excitement and adventure in the air.
- Use 'felt' as a noun to describe material made of natural and organic fibers.
For example, you can say:
Felt is not the best material for a spring or summer outfit because it is thick and hot.
- Use 'feel' as a noun to describe the quality of something.
So, I might write:
I appreciate you sending me the fabric samples I requested. However, the feel of the fabrics is different from those I received from your company in the past.
- Use 'felt' as a noun to describe something made out of felt material.
For example, you can say:
In class, the students love using the felt board and felts to tell stories.
Sample Sentences Using 'Feel' and 'Felt'
Now, read these sample sentences using 'feel' and 'felt' to ensure you know and remember how to use both in various contexts.
Feel
- Do you feel sad when your friends or family go out of town for long periods?
- I try to finish my assignments as soon as possible because it feels horrible to miss a deadline.
- After your 21st birthday, celebrating the day you were born never feels as exciting.
- Can you imagine how it would feel to drive your dream car?
Felt
- Felt is not a great fabric for clothing as it is thick and doesn't breathe well.
- You may be tempted to purchase inexpensive material like felt, but you should ensure that the material you select is appropriate for your project.
- If I felt like you would make the most of the writing workshop, I would pay for it.
- If it felt wrong, you shouldn't have done it.
Feel/Felt
- Do you like the feel of the felt fabric, or would you like to look at something that is higher quality?
- Can you believe Beverly wrote a best-selling self-published ebook for Amazon titled Feel More Felt by Experiencing by Expressing and Experiencing Emotions?
Final Look: 'Feel' or 'Felt'
Finally, let's take a last look at the difference between 'feel' or 'felt':
- 'Feel' can be a verb that means to experience through touch.
- 'Feel' can also be a noun that means feeling or sensation of touch.
- 'Felt' is the past tense form of the verb feel.
- 'Felt' is a noun for material made from fused or combined organic and synthetic fibers.
Words like 'feel' and 'felt' confuse even experienced writers. So, if you need help deciding which of these terms to use in the future, you can always return to this guide for a quick review.
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