Felt vs. Feel: Know the Difference

By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023

"Felt" is the past tense of "feel," indicating a past emotion or sensation. "Feel" is a present tense verb for experiencing sensations or emotions.

Key Differences

"Felt" is the past tense of "feel." It describes emotions, sensations, or perceptions that occurred in the past. For example, "Yesterday, I felt happy." In contrast, "feel" is used in the present tense, indicating current emotions or sensations. Example: "I feel excited now."

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

"Felt" functions as a simple past tense verb. It is used to describe a completed action or state in the past. Example: "She felt the texture of the silk." "Feel," however, can serve as a present tense verb or an imperative. As a present tense verb, it describes ongoing or current states, e.g., "I feel cold." As an imperative, it suggests experiencing or examining something, e.g., "Feel the rain on your skin."

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Both words relate to subjective experience but differ in their temporal context. "Felt" implies that the experience has ended, e.g., "I felt nervous during the interview." "Feel," on the other hand, suggests that the experience is ongoing or current, e.g., "I feel nervous about tomorrow's test."

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Both "felt" and "feel" can describe emotional and sensory experiences, but their usage changes with time. "Felt" might be used to recall a past emotion or sensation, e.g., "He felt joy at the news." "Feel" indicates a direct, present engagement with the emotion or sensation, e.g., "I feel joy when I see her."

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Both "felt" and "feel" have figurative uses. "Felt" can indicate a past understanding or impression, e.g., "She felt that it was a bad idea." "Feel" can imply a current opinion or intuition, e.g., "I feel that we should take a different approach."

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Comparison Chart

Tense

Past tense of "feel"

Present tense of "feel"

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Temporal Context

Refers to past experiences

Refers to present experiences

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Use in Sentences

Completed actions or states

Ongoing or current states

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Emotional/Sensory Context

Past emotions or sensations

Current emotions or sensations

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Figurative Implications

Past impressions or opinions

Current impressions or opinions

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Felt and Feel Definitions

Felt

Refers to a past emotional state.

He felt elated after the victory.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Feel

Feel describes experiencing a sensation currently.

I feel the warmth of the sun.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Felt

Implies a physical experience that happened previously.

We felt the ground shake during the earthquake.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Feel

Indicates a current emotional state.

She feels happy today.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Felt

Felt indicates having experienced a sensation in the past.

I felt a chill last night.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Feel

Implies touching or physically experiencing something.

Feel the texture of this fabric.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Felt

Used to describe a past perception or understanding.

She felt the solution was incorrect.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Feel

To perceive through the sense of touch

Feel the velvety smoothness of a peach.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

A fabric of matted, compressed animal fibers, such as wool or fur, sometimes mixed with vegetable or synthetic fibers.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To perceive as a physical sensation

Feel a sharp pain.

Feel the cold.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

A material resembling this fabric.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To touch

Reached out and felt the wall.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

Something made of this fabric.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To examine by touching

Felt the fabric for flaws.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

Made of, relating to, or resembling felt.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To test or explore with caution

Feel one's way in a new job.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

To make into felt.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To undergo the experience of

Felt my interest rising.

Felt great joy.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

To cover with felt.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To be aware of; sense

Felt the anger of the crowd.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

To press or mat (something) together.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To be emotionally affected by

She still feels the loss of her dog.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

To become like felt; mat together.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To be persuaded of (something) on the basis of intuition, emotion, or other indefinite grounds

I feel that what the informant says may well be true.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

Past tense and past participle of feel.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To believe; think

She felt his answer to be evasive.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

A cloth or stuff made of matted fibres of wool, or wool and fur, fulled or wrought into a compact substance by rolling and pressure, with lees or size, without spinning or weaving.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To experience the sensation of touch.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

A hat made of felt.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To produce a particular sensation, especially through the sense of touch

The sheets felt smooth.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

A felt-tip pen.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To produce a particular impression; appear to be; seem

It feels good to be home. See Usage Note at well2.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

(obsolete) A skin or hide; a fell; a pelt.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To be conscious of a specified kind or quality of physical, mental, or emotional state

Felt warm and content.

Feels strongly about the election.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

(transitive) To make into felt, or a feltlike substance; to cause to adhere and mat together.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To seek or explore something by the sense of touch

Felt for the light switch in the dark.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

(transitive) To cover with, or as if with, felt.

To felt the cylinder of a steam engine

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To have compassion or sympathy

I feel for him in his troubles.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

To cause a player to lose all their chips.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Perception by touch or by sensation of the skin

A feel of autumn in the air.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

Simple past tense and past participle of feel

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

The sense of touch

A surface that is rough to the feel.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

That has been experienced or perceived.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

An act or instance of touching or feeling

Gave the carpet a feel.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

A cloth or stuff made of matted fibers of wool, or wool and fur, fulled or wrought into a compact substance by rolling and pressure, with lees or size, without spinning or weaving.

It were a delicate stratagem to shoeA troop of horse with felt.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

(Vulgar) An act or instance of sexual touching or fondling.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

A hat made of felt.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

An overall impression or effect

"gives such disparate pictures ... a crazily convincing documentary feel" (Stephen King).

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

A skin or hide; a fell; a pelt.the grain of timber which is transverse to the annular rings or plates; the direction of the medullary rays in oak and some other timber.

To know whether sheep are sound or not, see that the felt be loose.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Intuitive awareness or natural ability

Has a feel for decorating.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

A fabric made of compressed matted animal fibers

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

(heading) To use or experience the sense of touch.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

Mat together and make felt-like;

Felt the wool

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To become aware of through the skin; to use the sense of touch on.

You can feel a heartbeat if you put your fingers on your breast.

I felt cold and miserable all night.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

Cover with felt;

Felt a cap

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

(transitive) To find one's way (literally or figuratively) by touching or using cautious movements.

I felt my way through the darkened room.

I felt my way cautiously through the dangerous business maneuver.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

Change texture so as to become matted and felt-like;

The fabric felted up after several washes

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

(intransitive) To receive information by touch or by any neurons other than those responsible for sight, smell, taste, or hearing.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Felt

Indicates a past intuitive or gut feeling.

I felt that something was wrong.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Feel

(intransitive) To search by sense of touch.

He felt for the light switch in the dark.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

(heading) To sense or think emotionally or judgmentally.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

(transitive) To experience an emotion or other mental state about.

I can feel the sadness in his poems.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

(transitive) To think, believe, or have an impression concerning.

I feel that we need to try harder.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To experience an emotion or other mental state.

He obviously feels strongly about it.

She felt even more upset when she heard the details.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

(intransitive) To sympathise; to have the sensibilities moved or affected.

I feel for you and your plight.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

(transitive) To be or become aware of.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

(transitive) To experience the consequences of.

Feel my wrath!

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

(copulative) To seem (through touch or otherwise).

It looks like wood, but it feels more like plastic.

This is supposed to be a party, but it feels more like a funeral!

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To understand.

I don't want you back here, ya feel me?

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

(archaic) The sense of touch.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

A perception experienced mainly or solely through the sense of touch.

Bark has a rough feel.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

A vague mental impression.

You should get a feel for the area before moving in.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

An act of fondling.

She gave me a quick feel to show that she loves me.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

A vague understanding.

I'm getting a feel for what you mean.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

An intuitive ability.

She has a feel for music.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

A feeling; an emotion.

I know that feel.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Alternative form of fele

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Alternative form of fele

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Alternative form of fele

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To perceive by the touch; to take cognizance of by means of the nerves of sensation distributed all over the body, especially by those of the skin; to have sensation excited by contact of (a thing) with the body or limbs.

Who feelThose rods of scorpions and those whips of steel.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To touch; to handle; to examine by touching; as, feel this piece of silk; hence, to make trial of; to test; often with out.

Come near, . . . that I may feel thee, my son.

He hath this to feel my affection to your honor.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To perceive by the mind; to have a sense of; to experience; to be affected by; to be sensible of, or sensitive to; as, to feel pleasure; to feel pain.

Teach me to feel another's woe.

Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing.

He best can paint them who shall feel them most.

Mankind have felt their strength and made it felt.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To take internal cognizance of; to be conscious of; to have an inward persuasion of.

For then, and not till then, he felt himself.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To perceive; to observe.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To have perception by the touch, or by contact of anything with the nerves of sensation, especially those upon the surface of the body.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To have the sensibilities moved or affected.

[She] feels with the dignity of a Roman matron

And mine as man, who feel for all mankind.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, persuasion, physical condition, etc.; to perceive one's self to be; - followed by an adjective describing the state, etc.; as, to feel assured, grieved, persuaded.

I then did feel full sick.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To know with feeling; to be conscious; hence, to know certainly or without misgiving.

Garlands . . . which I feelI am not worthy yet to wear.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

To appear to the touch; to give a perception; to produce an impression by the nerves of sensation; - followed by an adjective describing the kind of sensation.

Blind men say black feels rough, and white feels smooth.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Feeling; perception.

To intercept and have a more kindly feel of its genial warmth.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

A sensation communicated by touching; impression made upon one who touches or handles; as, this leather has a greasy feel.

The difference between these two tumors will be distinguished by the feel.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

An intuitive awareness;

He has a feel for animals

It's easy when you get the feel of it

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

The general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people;

The feel of the city excited him

A clergyman improved the tone of the meeting

It had the smell of treason

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

A property perceived by touch

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Manual-genital stimulation for sexual pleasure;

The girls hated it when he tried to sneak a feel

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Undergo an emotional sensation;

She felt resentful

He felt regret

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Come to believe on the basis of emotion, intuitions, or indefinite grounds;

I feel that he doesn't like me

I find him to be obnoxious

I found the movie rather entertaining

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Perceive by a physical sensation, e.g., coming from the skin or muscles;

He felt the wind

She felt an object brushing her arm

He felt his flesh crawl

She felt the heat when she got out of the car

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Seem with respect to a given sensation given;

My cold is gone--I feel fine today

She felt tired after the long hike

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Have a feeling or perception about oneself in reaction to someone's behavior or attitude;

She felt small and insignificant

You make me feel naked

I made the students feel different about themselves

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Undergo passive experience of:

We felt the effects of inflation

Her fingers felt their way through the string quartet

She felt his contempt of her

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Be felt or perceived in a certain way;

The ground feels shaky

The sheets feel soft

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Grope or feel in search of something;

He felt for his wallet

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Examine by touch;

Feel this soft cloth!

The customer fingered the sweater

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Examine (a body part) by palpation;

The nurse palpated the patient's stomach

The runner felt her pulse

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Find by testing or cautious exploration;

He felt his way around the dark room

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Produce a certain impression;

It feels nice to be home again

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Pass one's hands over the sexual organs of;

He felt the girl in the movie theater

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Feel

Used to express a current perception or belief.

They feel this is the right decision.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Feel

Refers to a current intuition or impression.

I feel like it's going to rain.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Can "feel" indicate future sensations?

Indirectly, in expressions like "I feel it will rain," it suggests a prediction or intuition about the future.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

How is "feel" used in a sentence?

"Feel" is used to describe current sensations or emotions, or as a command to experience something physically.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Is "felt" only for emotional contexts?

No, "felt" can describe physical sensations and intuitive perceptions in the past.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

What does "felt" mean?

"Felt" is the past tense of "feel," used for past sensations or emotions.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Can "felt" and "feel" be used interchangeably?

No, they differ in tense; "felt" is past tense, and "feel" is present tense.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Are there any idiomatic uses of "felt"?

Yes, phrases like "felt out of place" use "felt" idiomatically to describe past emotional states.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Do "felt" and "feel" have the same root word?

Yes, "felt" is the past tense of the verb "feel."

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Can "feel" imply a command?

Yes, in imperative form, "feel" can command someone to touch or experience something, like "Feel this fabric."

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Is "felt" used in formal writing?

Yes, "felt" is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Is "felt" used in figurative language?

Yes, "felt" can be used figuratively, as in "She felt like she was on top of the world."

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

How do "felt" and "feel" relate to physical sensations?

"Felt" describes past physical sensations, while "feel" refers to current ones.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Can "feel" be used in a non-physical sense?

Yes, "feel" can describe emotional states or opinions, like "I feel happy" or "I feel that's wrong."

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Can "felt" describe a past intuition?

Yes, it can describe past intuitions or gut feelings.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Is "feel" used in different tenses?

Yes, "feel" is used in present, future, and imperative forms.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Can "feel" describe mental states?

Yes, "feel" can describe both mental and physical states or perceptions.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Can "feel" be used in passive voice?

Yes, such as in "I feel overwhelmed."

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

How does context affect the use of "felt"?

The context determines whether "felt" refers to emotional, sensory, or intuitive experiences.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Can "felt" imply a change in state?

Yes, it can imply a change from a past state to a current one, as in "I felt cold, but now I'm warm."

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Does "feel" always require a direct object?

No, it can be used both transitively and intransitively, like "I feel cold" or "I feel the cloth."

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Are there any synonyms for "felt"?

Synonyms include "perceived," "experienced," or "understood," depending on context.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 05, 2023

Share this page

Link for your blog / website

HTML

Link to share via messenger

↩ Previous

Falsework vs. Formwork Felt vs. Feel

Next ↪

Electrometer vs. Voltmeter Felt vs. Feel

About Author

Written by

Shumaila Saeed

Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.