‹ YuzoolWordbayOpen app

Wordbay · Emotions

Words for emotions

Saying you feel “bad” or “good” leaves a lot out. These words split feelings finer: the unease before something goes wrong, the flat mood after a loss, the lift of a success, the pull of two feelings at once.

Everyday (25)

  • ambivalent adjective. Having mixed or opposing feelings about something at the same time.
  • apprehensive adjective. Uneasy or worried that something unpleasant is going to happen.
  • bemused adjective. Puzzled or bewildered, often in a slightly dazed way.
  • despondent adjective. Low in spirits after losing hope or courage.
  • dismay noun. Shock and distress at something unexpected and unwelcome.
  • elated adjective. Extremely happy and excited, often after a success.
  • ennui noun. A listless weariness that comes from having nothing interesting to do.
  • epiphany noun. A sudden, striking moment of understanding or insight.
  • euphoria noun. An intense, often short-lived feeling of happiness and excitement.
  • exasperated adjective. Intensely irritated, especially by something that keeps happening.
  • forlorn adjective. Sad and lonely, as if abandoned or left behind.
  • indignant adjective. Angry at something you see as unfair or insulting.
  • jaded adjective. Tired and unimpressed after having seen or done too much of something.
  • lethargic adjective. Sluggish and lacking energy or enthusiasm.
  • melancholy noun. A deep, lingering sadness, often with no obvious cause.
  • nonplussed adjective. So surprised or confused that you don't know how to react.
  • nostalgia noun. A fond, slightly sad longing for a happy time in the past.
  • remorse noun. Deep regret and guilt for something wrong you have done.
  • savour verb. To enjoy the taste of food, or any experience, slowly and fully.
  • schadenfreude noun. Pleasure taken in someone else's bad luck.
  • solace noun. Comfort in a time of sadness or distress.
  • therapeutic adjective. Having a good effect on the body or mind; helping to heal or soothe.
  • trepidation noun. Nervous fear about something that is about to happen.
  • vexed adjective. Annoyed, frustrated or worried.
  • zest noun. The thin, coloured outer skin of a citrus fruit, grated for flavour.

Well-read (24)

  • aghast adjective. Filled with sudden horror or shock.
  • apoplectic adjective. So furious that you look ready to burst.
  • chagrin noun. Annoyance mixed with embarrassment, especially at having failed or been shown up.
  • compunction noun. A feeling of guilt or unease that holds you back from doing something wrong.
  • contrite adjective. Sincerely sorry for having done wrong.
  • crestfallen adjective. Suddenly sad and disappointed, as when a hope is dashed.
  • disconsolate adjective. So unhappy that nothing anyone does can comfort you.
  • ebullient adjective. Bubbling over with cheerful energy and enthusiasm.
  • equilibrium noun. A state of balance in which opposing forces or influences cancel each other out.
  • frisson noun. A sudden shiver of excitement, fear or pleasure.
  • halcyon adjective. Of a past time, remembered as calm, happy and golden.
  • lassitude noun. Physical or mental weariness and a lack of energy.
  • maudlin adjective. Tearfully sentimental, often in a self-pitying way.
  • pique noun. A brief fit of irritation, especially from wounded pride.
  • rancour noun. Bitter, long-lasting resentment.
  • rapture noun. A feeling of intense delight that carries you away.
  • restive adjective. Impatient and hard to keep still or under control.
  • rueful adjective. Showing regret, often with a touch of wry humour.
  • sanguine adjective. Calmly hopeful and confident, even when things look difficult.
  • tempestuous adjective. Stormy and violent.
  • umbrage noun. Offence or annoyance at a slight, usually something a person “takes”.
  • weltschmerz noun. A gentle sadness at the gap between the world as it is and as it ought to be.
  • wistful adjective. Gently sad and longing, especially for something past or out of reach.
  • woebegone adjective. Looking sad, sorry for yourself or miserable.

Advanced (18)

  • amour propre noun. Self-respect, especially a sensitive pride that is easily wounded.
  • anhedonia noun. The loss of the ability to feel pleasure in things that once brought it.
  • ataraxia noun. A state of untroubled calm and freedom from anxiety, prized by ancient Greek philosophers.
  • atrabilious adjective. Gloomy and bad-tempered.
  • choleric adjective. Bad-tempered and easily angered.
  • disquietude noun. A state of restless worry or unease.
  • dolorous adjective. Full of grief, or expressing great sorrow.
  • dudgeon noun. A sulky feeling of deep offence, usually found in the phrase “in high” followed by this word.
  • eudaimonia noun. In Aristotle's ethics, the flourishing that comes from living well and fulfilling one's potential.
  • felicity noun. Intense, settled happiness.
  • hebetude noun. Dullness of mind and body; a heavy, stupefied sluggishness.
  • lachrymose adjective. Inclined to weep easily, or likely to make others weep.
  • limerence noun. The all-consuming, obsessive early stage of romantic attraction to someone.
  • lugubrious adjective. Sad and dismal, often in an exaggerated or comically gloomy way.
  • megrims noun. Low spirits; a passing fit of gloom.
  • saudade noun. A deep, wistful longing for someone or something absent or lost, prized in Portuguese song.
  • splenetic adjective. Bad-tempered and spiteful.
  • tremulous adjective. Shaking slightly, especially from nerves or strong feeling.