Lexicon: Words for Feelings
This lexicon provides a comprehensive collection of emotional and feeling-related terms, particularly valuable for individuals with alexithymia who may struggle to identify and articulate their emotional experiences. Each entry includes definitions, etymologies, citations, and notable quotes from reliable sources.
This lexicon is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) license for the AAN community.
Alphabetical Index
A-F: Affect • Alexithymia • Ambivalence • Anger • Anticipation • Arousal • Catharsis • Disgust • Emotion • Emotional Granularity • Emotional Intensity • Empathy • Fear • Feeling
G-M: Happiness • Hope • Hygge • Interoception • Intensity • Joy • Metacognition • Mindfulness
N-S: Nostalgia • Passion • Sadness • Saudade • Shame • Somatic Markers • Surprise
T-Z: Trust • Valence • Vulnerability
Emotion Vocabularies
Classical Frameworks
Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions
Developer: Robert Plutchik (1980)
Framework: Eight primary emotions arranged in a wheel, with combinations creating complex emotions.
Primary Emotions:
- Joy - Pleasure, happiness, contentment
- Trust - Acceptance, confidence, admiration
- Fear - Apprehension, anxiety, terror
- Surprise - Amazement, distraction, bewilderment
- Sadness - Grief, sorrow, pensiveness
- Disgust - Loathing, boredom, revulsion
- Anger - Rage, annoyance, irritability
- Anticipation - Interest, vigilance, expectancy
Key Insight: Emotions exist in varying intensities and can combine to form complex emotions (e.g., Joy + Trust = Love).
Authoritative Source: Plutchik's Research | Buy "The Emotions"
Quote: "Emotions are the result of evolution and have been selected because they serve adaptive functions." — Robert Plutchik
Ekman's Basic Emotions
Developer: Paul Ekman (1972)
Framework: Six universal emotions with distinct facial expressions across cultures.
Basic Emotions: - Happiness - Joy, pleasure, contentment - Sadness - Sorrow, grief, melancholy - Anger - Rage, irritation, fury - Fear - Anxiety, apprehension, terror - Surprise - Astonishment, amazement - Disgust - Revulsion, loathing, distaste
Key Insight: These emotions are biologically determined and universally recognized across cultures.
Authoritative Source: Paul Ekman Group
Quote: "The face is a rich source of information about emotion, and we have barely begun to tap its potential." — Paul Ekman
Historical Perspectives
Spinoza's Ethics
Developer: Baruch Spinoza (1677)
Framework: Three primary affects from which all emotions derive.
Primary Affects:
- Joy (Laetitia) - Increase in perfection/power
- Sadness (Tristitia) - Decrease in perfection/power
- Desire (Cupiditas) - Striving force of existence
Key Insight: Emotions are modifications of these three basic affects, influenced by our ideas and understanding.
Authoritative Source: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Spinoza
Quote: "An emotion can only be controlled or destroyed by another emotion contrary thereto, and with more power for controlling emotion." — Baruch Spinoza
Darwin's Expression of Emotions
Developer: Charles Darwin (1872)
Framework: Evolutionary basis of emotional expression across species.
Key Principles: - Serviceable Associated Habits - Expressions that once served a function - Antithesis - Opposite expressions for opposite emotions - Direct Action of Nervous System - Involuntary expressions from nervous excitement
Key Insight: Emotional expressions evolved from functional behaviors and are shared across species.
Authoritative Source: The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals
Quote: "The movements of expression in the face and body are in themselves of much importance for our welfare." — Charles Darwin
Contemporary Models
Brené Brown's Emotion Research
Developer: Brené Brown (2010s)
Framework: Vulnerability-based approach to emotional resilience and shame research.
Core Concepts: - Vulnerability - Uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure - Shame Resilience - Ability to recognize and move through shame - Emotional Granularity - Ability to distinguish between similar emotions - Empathy vs. Sympathy - Connection vs. disconnection in response to pain
Key Insight: Vulnerability is the birthplace of courage, creativity, and change.
Authoritative Source: Brené Brown Research
Quote: "Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome." — Brené Brown
Gloria Wilcox's Feeling Wheel
Developer: Gloria Wilcox (1982)
Framework: Comprehensive emotion vocabulary tool with core emotions expanding to specific feelings.
Structure: - Core Emotions (center) - Mad, Sad, Glad, Afraid, Surprised, Disgusted - Secondary Emotions (middle ring) - More specific variations - Tertiary Emotions (outer ring) - Highly specific emotional states
Key Insight: Emotional granularity improves emotional intelligence and regulation.
Authoritative Source: The Feeling Wheel
Quote: "The more specific we can be about our emotions, the better we can understand and manage them." — Gloria Wilcox
Antonio Damasio's Somatic Marker Hypothesis
Developer: Antonio Damasio (1994)
Framework: Body-emotion-decision connection through somatic markers.
Core Concepts: - Somatic Markers - Bodily signals that guide decision-making - Interoception - Awareness of internal bodily signals - Emotion-Reason Integration - Emotions as essential to rational thought - Feeling vs. Emotion - Distinction between bodily emotion and conscious feeling
Key Insight: Emotions are not obstacles to reason but essential components of rational decision-making.
Authoritative Source: Damasio's Research
Quote: "We are not thinking machines that feel; rather, we are feeling machines that think." — Antonio Damasio
Psychology Section
Core Psychological Concepts
Alexithymia
Definition: A psychological condition characterized by difficulty identifying, describing, and expressing emotions.
Etymology: From Greek: a- (without) + lexis (words) + thymos (emotion) = "without words for emotions"
Coined by: Peter Sifneos (1973)
Wikipedia: Alexithymia
Quote: "Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by the subclinical inability to identify and describe emotions experienced by one's self." — Taylor, Bagby, & Parker (1997)
Affect
Definition: The observable expression of emotion; the outward manifestation of feeling.
Etymology: From Latin affectus, meaning "influenced" or "moved"
Introduced to psychology: Early 20th century
Wikipedia: Affect (psychology)
Quote: "Affect is the visible reaction a person displays toward events." — American Psychiatric Association
Ambivalence
Definition: The state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
Etymology: Coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler (1910) from Latin ambi- (both) + valentia (strength)
Wikipedia: Ambivalence
Quote: "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function." — F. Scott Fitzgerald
Catharsis
Definition: The process of releasing and providing relief from strong or repressed emotions.
Etymology: From Greek katharsis, meaning "purification" or "cleansing"
Introduced to psychology: Sigmund Freud and Josef Breuer (1895)
Wikipedia: Catharsis
Quote: "The aim of psychoanalysis is to relieve people of their neurotic unhappiness so that they can be normally unhappy." — Sigmund Freud
Emotion
Definition: A complex psychological state involving physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience.
Etymology: From Latin emovere, meaning "to move out" or "to stir up"
Wikipedia: Emotion
Quote: "Emotions are not luxuries. They are a means of communicating our states of mind to others." — Antonio Damasio
Emotional Granularity
Definition: The ability to distinguish between similar emotions and use precise emotional vocabulary.
Research: Lisa Feldman Barrett and colleagues (1990s-present)
Wikipedia: Emotional Granularity
Quote: "People who can distinguish finely between their emotions are better at regulating them." — Lisa Feldman Barrett
Empathy
Definition: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.
Etymology: From German Einfühlung, translated by psychologist Edward Titchener (1909)
Wikipedia: Empathy
Quote: "Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself." — Mohsin Hamid
Feeling
Definition: The subjective experience of emotion; the conscious awareness of emotional states.
Etymology: From Old English felan, meaning "to touch" or "to perceive"
Wikipedia: Feeling
Quote: "Feelings are something you have; not something you are." — Shannon L. Alder
Interoception
Definition: The sense of the internal state of the body; awareness of internal bodily signals.
Etymology: Coined by Charles Sherrington (1906) from Latin interus (inside) + capere (to take)
Wikipedia: Interoception
Quote: "Interoception is the sense that allows us to answer the question: How do I feel right now?" — Antonio Damasio
Metacognition
Definition: Awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes; "thinking about thinking."
Etymology: Coined by John Flavell (1976) from Greek meta (beyond) + Latin cognitio (thinking)
Wikipedia: Metacognition
Quote: "Metacognition is the awareness of one's awareness." — John Flavell
Mindfulness
Definition: The practice of purposeful, non-judgmental awareness of the present moment.
Etymology: From Pali sati, translated as "mindfulness" by T.W. Rhys Davids (1881)
Wikipedia: Mindfulness
Quote: "Mindfulness is about being fully awake in our lives. It is about perceiving the exquisite vividness of each moment." — Jon Kabat-Zinn
Somatic Markers
Definition: Bodily signals that influence decision-making and emotional processing.
Developer: Antonio Damasio (1994)
Wikipedia: Somatic Marker Hypothesis
Quote: "The body provides a continuous stream of information that helps guide our decisions." — Antonio Damasio
Valence
Definition: The intrinsic attractiveness (positive valence) or aversiveness (negative valence) of an emotion or experience.
Etymology: From Latin valentia, meaning "strength" or "capacity"
Research: Core dimension in dimensional models of emotion (Russell, 1980)
Wikipedia: Valence (psychology)
Quote: "Valence tells us whether we should approach or avoid something." — James Russell
Arousal
Definition: The physiological and psychological state of being awake, alert, and activated; the intensity dimension of emotion.
Etymology: From Old French arouser, meaning "to stir up" or "to awaken"
Research: Second core dimension in circumplex models of emotion
Wikipedia: Arousal
Quote: "Arousal determines how energized we feel about our emotional experience." — Lisa Feldman Barrett
Emotional Intensity
Definition: The strength or magnitude of an emotional experience; how powerfully an emotion is felt.
Etymology: From Latin intensus, meaning "stretched" or "strained"
Research: Key factor in emotion regulation and psychological well-being
Quote: "The intensity of emotion often matters more than the emotion itself." — Daniel Goleman
Intensity
Definition: The degree of strength, force, or concentration of an experience or feeling.
Etymology: From Latin intensus, meaning "stretched tight"
Applications: Used to describe the magnitude of emotions, sensations, and experiences
Quote: "It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves." — Sir Edmund Hillary
Vulnerability
Definition: Uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure; the willingness to show up authentically.
Research: Brené Brown (2010s)
Quote: "Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change." — Brené Brown
Basic Emotions (Detailed)
Anger
Definition: An intense emotional response to perceived threats, injustice, or frustration.
Etymology: From Old Norse angr, meaning "grief" or "sorrow"
Wikipedia: Anger
Quote: "Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured." — Mark Twain
Anticipation
Definition: The emotion of looking forward; expectation of future events.
Etymology: From Latin anticipare, meaning "to take before"
Wikipedia: Anticipation
Quote: "The anticipation of pleasure is, in itself, a very considerable pleasure." — David Hume
Disgust
Definition: A feeling of revulsion or strong disapproval aroused by something unpleasant.
Etymology: From Old French desgouster, meaning "to lose one's appetite"
Wikipedia: Disgust
Quote: "Disgust is one of the basic emotions, and it serves to protect us from contamination." — Paul Rozin
Fear
Definition: An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous.
Etymology: From Old English fær, meaning "sudden calamity" or "danger"
Wikipedia: Fear
Quote: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." — Franklin D. Roosevelt
Happiness
Definition: A positive emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment.
Etymology: From Middle English hap, meaning "chance" or "fortune"
Wikipedia: Happiness
Quote: "Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions." — Dalai Lama
Joy
Definition: A feeling of great pleasure and happiness; intense positive emotion.
Etymology: From Old French joie, from Latin gaudium, meaning "rejoicing"
Wikipedia: Joy
Quote: "Joy is not in things; it is in us." — Richard Wagner
Sadness
Definition: An emotional state characterized by feelings of disappointment, grief, or sorrow.
Etymology: From Old English sæd, originally meaning "satisfied" or "weary"
Wikipedia: Sadness
Quote: "Sadness flies away on the wings of time." — Jean de La Fontaine
Shame
Definition: A painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.
Etymology: From Old English scamu, meaning "feeling of guilt"
Research: Brené Brown's extensive work on shame resilience
Wikipedia: Shame
Quote: "Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change." — Brené Brown
Surprise
Definition: A brief mental and physiological state caused by something unexpected.
Etymology: From Old French surprendre, meaning "to overtake"
Wikipedia: Surprise
Quote: "The secret to humor is surprise." — Aristotle
Trust
Definition: A feeling of confidence in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something.
Etymology: From Old Norse traust, meaning "confidence"
Wikipedia: Trust
Quote: "Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication." — Stephen Covey
Hope
Definition: A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen; optimism about future possibilities.
Etymology: From Old English hopian, meaning "to wish" or "to expect"
Research: Central to positive psychology and resilience research
Wikipedia: Hope
Quote: "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." — Desmond Tutu
Passion
Definition: Strong and barely controllable emotion; intense enthusiasm or desire for something.
Etymology: From Latin passio, meaning "suffering" or "enduring"
Applications: Used to describe intense love, enthusiasm, or commitment
Wikipedia: Passion
Quote: "Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you." — Oprah Winfrey
Cultural and Historical Terms
Hygge
Definition: A Danish concept of coziness, comfort, and contentment.
Etymology: From Danish, related to Norwegian hugga (to comfort)
Cultural origin: Danish culture
Wikipedia: Hygge
Quote: "Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things." — Meik Wiking
Nostalgia
Definition: A sentimental longing for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.
Etymology: Coined by Swiss physician Johannes Hofer (1688) from Greek nostos (homecoming) + algos (pain)
Wikipedia: Nostalgia
Quote: "Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days." — Doug Larson
Saudade
Definition: A Portuguese term describing a deep emotional state of longing for something absent.
Etymology: From Portuguese, possibly from Latin solitas (solitude)
Cultural origin: Portuguese and Galician cultures
Wikipedia: Saudade
Quote: "Saudade is the love that remains after someone is gone." — Portuguese proverb
Comprehensive Emotion Vocabularies
Plutchik's Intensity Levels
Joy Family
High Intensity: Ecstasy, Euphoria, Elation, Rapture, Bliss Moderate Intensity: Joy, Happiness, Delight, Cheerfulness, Pleasure Low Intensity: Serenity, Contentment, Satisfaction, Peacefulness, Calm
Trust Family
High Intensity: Admiration, Devotion, Worship, Reverence, Adoration Moderate Intensity: Trust, Confidence, Faith, Reliance, Acceptance Low Intensity: Acceptance, Tolerance, Approval, Regard, Respect
Fear Family
High Intensity: Terror, Panic, Horror, Dread, Phobia Moderate Intensity: Fear, Anxiety, Worry, Nervousness, Apprehension Low Intensity: Apprehension, Unease, Concern, Caution, Wariness
Surprise Family
High Intensity: Amazement, Astonishment, Wonder, Awe, Bewilderment Moderate Intensity: Surprise, Shock, Startlement, Confusion, Perplexity Low Intensity: Distraction, Puzzlement, Curiosity, Interest, Intrigue
Sadness Family
High Intensity: Grief, Anguish, Despair, Devastation, Heartbreak Moderate Intensity: Sadness, Sorrow, Melancholy, Gloom, Dejection Low Intensity: Pensiveness, Wistfulness, Disappointment, Regret, Longing
Disgust Family
High Intensity: Loathing, Revulsion, Abhorrence, Repugnance, Hatred Moderate Intensity: Disgust, Distaste, Aversion, Repulsion, Contempt Low Intensity: Boredom, Dislike, Indifference, Disinterest, Apathy
Anger Family
High Intensity: Rage, Fury, Wrath, Outrage, Livid Moderate Intensity: Anger, Mad, Irritation, Frustration, Annoyance Low Intensity: Annoyance, Irritability, Displeasure, Agitation, Impatience
Anticipation Family
High Intensity: Vigilance, Alertness, Eagerness, Excitement, Enthusiasm Moderate Intensity: Anticipation, Expectation, Hope, Optimism, Readiness Low Intensity: Interest, Attention, Curiosity, Awareness, Mindfulness
Gloria Wilcox's Feeling Wheel Emotions
Mad (Anger) Branch
Secondary Level: Hurt, Hostile, Angry, Hateful, Critical Tertiary Level: - Hurt: Embarrassed, Disappointed, Devastated, Isolated, Shocked - Hostile: Withdrawn, Numb, Distant, Suspicious, Sarcastic - Angry: Frustrated, Infuriated, Enraged, Outraged, Irate - Hateful: Resentful, Disgusted, Contemptuous, Revolted, Detestable - Critical: Skeptical, Dismissive, Disapproving, Ridiculing, Judgmental
Sad Branch
Secondary Level: Guilty, Despair, Depressed, Lonely, Bored Tertiary Level: - Guilty: Ashamed, Remorseful, Regretful, Embarrassed, Humiliated - Despair: Grief, Powerless, Vulnerable, Victimized, Fragile - Depressed: Empty, Inferior, Inadequate, Worthless, Insignificant - Lonely: Isolated, Abandoned, Rejected, Alone, Ignored - Bored: Indifferent, Apathetic, Listless, Tired, Sleepy
Glad (Happy) Branch
Secondary Level: Optimistic, Intimate, Peaceful, Powerful, Accepted Tertiary Level: - Optimistic: Hopeful, Inspired, Proud, Surprised, Confident - Intimate: Loving, Tender, Devoted, Attracted, Passionate - Peaceful: Grateful, Fulfilled, Content, Pleased, Blissful - Powerful: Faithful, Important, Appreciated, Respected, Worthwhile - Accepted: Respected, Valued, Loved, Cherished, Fulfilled
Afraid (Fear) Branch
Secondary Level: Confused, Rejected, Helpless, Submissive, Insecure Tertiary Level: - Confused: Puzzled, Disillusioned, Perplexed, Bewildered, Torn - Rejected: Excluded, Persecuted, Judged, Criticized, Abandoned - Helpless: Incapable, Alone, Paralyzed, Fatigued, Useless - Submissive: Worthless, Insignificant, Weak, Ashamed, Inadequate - Insecure: Foolish, Stupid, Naive, Embarrassed, Confused
Surprised Branch
Secondary Level: Startled, Confused, Amazed, Excited, Energetic Tertiary Level: - Startled: Shocked, Dismayed, Disillusioned, Perplexed, Astonished - Confused: Puzzled, Bewildered, Skeptical, Disillusioned, Perplexed - Amazed: Awe, Surprised, Energetic, Eager, Enthusiastic - Excited: Eager, Enthusiastic, Energetic, Liberated, Optimistic - Energetic: Playful, Courageous, Creative, Aware, Animated
Disgusted Branch
Secondary Level: Disapproving, Disappointed, Awful, Repelled, Judgmental Tertiary Level: - Disapproving: Judgmental, Embarrassed, Appalled, Revolted, Awful - Disappointed: Dismayed, Disillusioned, Distressed, Hurtful, Betrayed - Awful: Nauseated, Detestable, Repugnant, Horrified, Hesitant - Repelled: Horrified, Hesitant, Aversion, Disgusted, Judgmental - Judgmental: Loathing, Sarcastic, Disdainful, Condescending, Critical
Complete Emotional Vocabulary
Intensity Descriptors
Low Intensity Terms
Slight, Mild, Faint, Subtle, Gentle, Soft, Light, Weak, Minimal, Trace, Hint, Touch, Whisper, Barely, Somewhat
Moderate Intensity Terms
Moderate, Medium, Average, Typical, Standard, Normal, Regular, Usual, Fair, Reasonable, Balanced, Steady
High Intensity Terms
Intense, Strong, Powerful, Overwhelming, Extreme, Severe, Profound, Deep, Acute, Sharp, Fierce, Violent, Crushing, Devastating
Valence Descriptors
Positive Valence Terms
Pleasant, Agreeable, Enjoyable, Delightful, Wonderful, Marvelous, Excellent, Fantastic, Terrific, Great, Good, Nice, Fine, Lovely, Beautiful
Negative Valence Terms
Unpleasant, Disagreeable, Awful, Terrible, Horrible, Dreadful, Appalling, Disgusting, Revolting, Bad, Poor, Nasty, Ugly, Disturbing
Neutral Valence Terms
Neutral, Indifferent, Bland, Plain, Ordinary, Average, Unremarkable, Neither good nor bad, Balanced, Even, Steady
References and Sources
All definitions, etymologies, and quotes have been compiled from reliable academic and cultural sources. For complete citations and additional resources, see our Resources page.
This lexicon is continuously updated. If you have suggestions for additional terms or corrections, please contact us.