Understanding 'Feel' as a Verb and its Noun Forms in English

The English language is rich with vocabulary that can often blur the lines between parts of speech. One such word is 'feel.' While 'feel' can act as a verb, it also has noun forms, making it a versatile and interesting word to explore.

What is the Noun of the Word 'Feel'?

Notably, 'feel' is not a noun. It is a verb, which means it describes an action or state of being. The word 'feel' denotes various actions such as:

Be aware of a person or object through touching or being touched. Be aware of something happening through physical sensation. Examine or search by touch. Be capable of sensation. Give a sensation of a particular physical quality when touched. Find one’s way by touch rather than sight. Investigate something cautiously. Fondle someone surreptitiously and without their consent for one's own sexual stimulation. Experience an emotion or sensation. Consider oneself to... (various reflexive actions).

Feeling as a Noun and Verb

While 'feel' is a verb, it can also be used as a noun in certain contexts. For example:

The ride invoked a good feel. (noun) I feel demotivated. (verb)

It is important to note that 'feel' can be a noun when it refers to the quality or sensation of an object or emotion:

He had the feeling that he was being watched.

Feeling is actually more multifaceted. 'Sorrow' serves as a good example. 'I feel sorrow' uses 'sorrow' as a noun, while 'Even after five years, she was sorrowing over her husband's death' uses 'sorrow' as a verb. 'Sad' is another example, serving as an adjective in 'I feel sad' and a verb in 'I was sad that day.'

Words and Their Semantic Flexibility

The type of a word—whether it is a noun, verb, pronoun, or adverb—is entirely dependent on how it is used in a sentence. For instance, in 'I 'feel' good.' 'Feel' is a verb, while in 'I like the 'feel' of a cashmere sweater.' 'Feel' serves as a noun to describe the texture or sensation of the cloth.

I strongly believe that 'feel' acts more as a verb in the sense that it includes the action of actively feeling or touching something. 'Feeling' is the noun that captures the act or state of being touched or the sensation experienced.

The Verbal Sense of 'Feel'

For clarity:

Feel /fēl/
verb
be aware of a person or object through touching or being touched.
experience an emotion or sensation.
noun
an act of touching something to examine it.
a sensation given by an object or material when touched.

The word 'feel' is a verb. A noun is the name of a person, place, or thing. A verb is a word of action or being. For example:'I ran home.' 'Ran' shows action. 'I am twenty years old.' The verb 'am' shows being.