Feelings And Emotions In English | List With Pictures And Examples

One of the first things English language learners learn is how to ask and answer the question, “How are you?” Beginners are often taught a small number of basic feelings words such as happy, sad, tired, hungry, and angry. However, there are many more feelings and emotions in English that can help learners talk about how they feel.

In my experience, students quickly become comfortable using basic feelings words, but they often struggle when they want to describe their feelings in more detail. Learning words such as delighted, frustrated, exhausted, anxious, and disappointed gives students more ways to talk about themselves and their emotions. Below, you’ll find a list of feelings and emotions in English with pictures, example sentences, and a printable PDF that you can use in class or for self-study. If you are teaching kids feelings vocabulary for the very first time, start with these feelings vocabulary exercises.

Feelings And Emotions List In English

Here’s a list of words you can use to describe how you are feeling in English. When I teach feelings vocabulary, I usually start with the basic feelings words that students already know, such as happy, sad, angry, and tired. Once students are comfortable with these words, it becomes much easier to introduce related feelings words with similar meanings.

For example, students who know the word happy can then learn words such as joyful, delighted, and excited. One activity I often use is to write these words on the board and arrange them on a scale from weak to strong. This helps students understand the subtle differences in meaning and choose the most appropriate word to describe how they feel. For convenience, I have grouped similar feelings and emotions words together in the list below. You can also download this list as a printable PDF.

Download the Feelings List PDF

Feelings and Emotions Example Sentences

After teaching feelings and vocabulary to my students, I always include lots of example sentences so they can see how to use these words naturally to talk about themselves and others. Here’s a list of example sentences you can use with feelings. For a full lesson plan on this topic, check out our Feelings and Emotions Lesson Plan complete with all the resources you need.

• I am so happy right now.
• I’m good, thanks. How are you?
• I feel great after exercising.
• You look very joyful today.
• Kelly was delighted with her test score.

• I am sad that you are leaving.
• I was very depressed when my dog died.
• I feel down these days.
• Chris was very unhappy with his test score.
• Why are you so miserable these days?

• Why are you so angry?
• The teacher was very cross that I didn’t do my homework.
• I get very frustrated when I don’t get what I want.
• I am annoyed right now.
• If I don’t drink coffee, I feel irritated.

• I feel sick.
• I am poorly.
• I feel a little under the weather today.
• You look unwell. Are you okay?
• James is ill so he will not be in class today.

• I am so tired after working all day.
• I am sleepy because I went to bed late last night.
• My medication has made me feel drowsy.
• The test was very hard so I feel drained now.
• You must be worn out after that hike.
• I need to sit down. I am exhausted.

• Can you open the window, please? I feel very hot in here.
• I’m boiling! Please turn on the fan.
• I’m burning up. I think I must have a fever.

• I feel cold. Can you pass the blanket, please?
• I’m freezing! Please turn on the heater.
• I’m a little chilly so I will put on my coat.

• I’m hungry. What shall we eat for lunch?
• I’m just a little peckish. I think I will just eat a snack for lunch.
• I’m starving. I could eat a horse.
• I’m famished. What’s for dinner?

• I’m thirsty. Can you pour me a glass of water, please?
• I feel dehydrated. I didn’t drink anything all day.
• I am a little parched. I think I’ll drink some orange juice.

• I always feel scared when I watch scary movies on my own.
• I am afraid of the dark.
• Chris is fearful he will fail the test.
• I was frightened when I thought I heard a ghost.
• I am terrified of spiders.
• I was petrified when I found a spider in my bed.

• I was surprised to see so many people at my birthday party.
• I was amazed when I saw fireworks for the first time.
• I was astonished when I saw how well you can speak English.
• I was astounded to see the beautiful view from the top of the mountain.

Related Resources

Check out these related resources for teaching feelings and emotions in English: