emotion

noun

emo·​tion i-ˈmō-shən 

1

a

: a conscious mental reaction (such as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body

b

: a state of feeling

c

: the affective aspect of consciousness : feeling

2

a

: excitement

b

obsolete : disturbance

Synonyms

• chord
• feeling
• passion
• sentiment

Choose the Right Synonym for emotion

feeling, emotion, affection, sentiment, passion mean a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation.

feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it.

the feelings that once moved me are gone

emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses.

the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence

affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.

a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.

her feminist sentiments are well known

passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

Examples of emotion in a Sentence

a display of raw emotion

The defendant showed no emotion when the verdict was read.

She was overcome with emotion at the news of her friend's death.

Recent Examples on the Web

Helping the client recognize their mental anchors, how emotions color decisions and their biases is a great place to start for building their decision-making competence. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

All of these things dictate her physicality and her emotions. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024

Kendrick turned what was his ire toward one person into overall hatred toward the industry, yet conveyed his conflicting emotions in genuinely good sounding music. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 22 Nov. 2024

He is known for blending meaningful narratives (often those with historical elements) with commercial appeal and an understanding of human emotions. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from emouvoir to stir up, from Old French esmovoir, from Latin emovēre to remove, displace, from e- + movēre to move

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Kids Definition

emotion

noun

emo·​tion i-ˈmō-shən 

1

: strong feeling : excitement

2

: a mental reaction (as anger or fear) marked by strong feeling and usually causing physical effects

Medical Definition

emotion

noun

emo·​tion i-ˈmō-shən 

1

: the affective aspect of consciousness

2

: a state of feeling

3

: a conscious mental reaction (as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body compare affect

emotional

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

emotionality

-ˌmō-shə-ˈnal-ət-ē 

noun

plural emotionalities

emotionally

-ˈmō-shnə-lē, -shən-ᵊl-ē 

adverb