Definition

Noun 1. A strong feeling deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others. It is a complex psychological and physiological state that involves a subjective experience, a physiological response, and a behavioral or expressive response. Emotions are distinct from moods, which are longer-lasting but less intense, and from feelings, which are the subjective experiences of emotions. 2. Any instance of such a feeling. This refers to a specific, identifiable occurrence of an emotional state, such as joy, anger, fear, or sadness.

Examples of Usage

• As a general concept:
  • Her voice was full of emotion.
  • The debate was heated, with both sides arguing with great emotion.
  • He struggled to control his emotion.
• Referring to a specific type or instance:
  • Love is a powerful emotion.
  • She felt a sudden emotion of gratitude.
  • He expressed the emotion of sadness through his music.

Advanced Usage

• "With emotion": in a way that shows strong feeling.
  • She spoke with emotion about her childhood.
• "A wave/rush/surge of emotion": a sudden, powerful feeling.
  • A wave of emotion overcame him when he saw the old photograph.
• "To show/display emotion": to allow one's feelings to be visible to others.
  • He rarely shows emotion in public.

Variants and Related Words

• Emotional (adj): relating to or characterized by emotion; easily affected by or showing emotion.
  • It was an emotional speech.
  • She is a very emotional person.
• Emotionless (adj): showing or feeling no emotion.
  • His face was completely emotionless.
• Emote (verb): to express emotion, especially in an excessive or theatrical manner.
  • The actor emoted powerfully on stage.

Synonyms

• Feeling: A general term for an emotional state or reaction.
• Passion: A very strong, barely controllable emotion.
• Sentiment: A view or attitude toward a situation, often influenced by emotion.

Related Phrases

• Run high: (for emotions) to be intense or strong.
  • Tensions were running high in the meeting room.
• Get carried away: to become so excited or emotional that one loses self-control.
  • I got carried away by the excitement and spent too much money.

Noun

1. any strong feeling