Emotions & Feelings Vocabulary

Master the nuanced vocabulary of emotions to express yourself with precision and depth. Understanding emotional vocabulary helps improve communication, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness.

Joy & Happiness

Euphoric

Intensely happy and excited; experiencing overwhelming joy or delight.

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Elated

Extremely happy and excited, often due to success or good fortune.

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Jubilant

Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph.

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Content

In a state of peaceful happiness and satisfaction.

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Sadness

Melancholy

A deep, pensive sadness, often without an obvious cause.

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Despondent

In low spirits from loss of hope or courage; dejected.

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Forlorn

Pitifully sad and lonely or abandoned.

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Grief-stricken

Overwhelmed with deep sorrow, especially due to loss.

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Anger

Incensed

Very angry; enraged.

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Livid

Furiously angry; extremely upset.

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Exasperated

Intensely irritated and frustrated.

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Resentful

Feeling bitterness or indignation at having been treated unfairly.

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Fear

Apprehensive

Anxious or fearful that something bad will happen.

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Trepidation

A feeling of fear or anxiety about something that may happen.

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Petrified

So frightened that one is unable to move; terrified.

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Uneasy

Causing or feeling anxiety; troubled or uncomfortable.

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Surprise

Astonished

Greatly surprised or impressed; amazed.

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Bewildered

Completely puzzled or confused; perplexed.

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Awestruck

Filled with wonder, amazement, or admiration.

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Stunned

So shocked that one is temporarily unable to react.

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Disgust

Repulsed

Filled with disgust or strong aversion.

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Disdainful

Showing contempt or lack of respect.

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Revolted

Feeling intense disgust or abhorrence.

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Scornful

Feeling or expressing contempt or derision.

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Love

Enamored

Filled with love or affection for someone or something.

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Adoring

Loving and respecting deeply; worshipping.

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Devoted

Very loving, loyal, or committed to someone or something.

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Tender

Showing gentleness, kindness, and affection.

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Shame

Mortified

Deeply embarrassed or ashamed.

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Remorseful

Filled with deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed.

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Contrite

Feeling or expressing remorse at the recognition of wrongdoing.

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Humiliated

Made to feel ashamed and foolish by injuring one's dignity and pride.

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Confidence

Assured

Confident and self-possessed.

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Triumphant

Having achieved victory or success; jubilant.

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Validated

Feeling recognized, confirmed, or supported in one's worth.

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Empowered

Made stronger and more confident in controlling one's life.

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Understanding Emotional Vocabulary

Why Emotional Vocabulary Matters: Research shows that people with a rich emotional vocabulary (high "emotional granularity") experience better mental health, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships.

Practice Tips:

Keep an emotion journal using specific words to describe your feelings
Notice the subtle differences between similar emotions (e.g., annoyed vs. frustrated vs. livid)
Use these words in conversation to build emotional literacy
Pay attention to body sensations associated with different emotions
Read literature and observe how authors describe characters' emotions

The Emotion Wheel: Emotions exist on a spectrum from basic to complex. Basic emotions (joy, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, disgust) branch into more nuanced feelings. This vocabulary helps you navigate that spectrum with precision.