For upper-intermediate learners: sophisticated emotional vocabulary for nuanced self-expression, literature, and meaningful conversation.
35 cards
nostalgic
feeling a warm but slightly sad longing for a past time or place.
melancholy
a quiet, persistent feeling of sadness without a clear cause.
apprehensive
feeling worried or fearful about something that may happen.
indifferent
having no strong feeling of interest or concern about something.
resentful
feeling bitter anger because you believe you were treated unfairly.
compassionate
feeling genuine concern for the suffering of others and wanting to help.
empathise
to understand and share the feelings of another person.
conflicted
feeling torn between two opposing emotions or desires at the same time.
elated
feeling extremely happy and full of joy, often from great success.
unease
a feeling of slight worry or discomfort about something not quite right.
yearning
a deep longing or strong desire for something you cannot easily have.
remorse
a deep feeling of regret and guilt for having done something wrong.
exhilarated
feeling very happy, energetic, and full of excitement.
disheartened
feeling discouraged and losing hope because of repeated failure.
agitated
feeling restless, troubled, and unable to stay calm.
fulfilled
feeling deeply satisfied because your life or work has real meaning.
detached
feeling emotionally separate from a person, situation, or your own feelings.
overwhelmed
feeling so strongly affected by emotion that it is hard to function normally.
contempt
the feeling that someone or something is worthless or beneath respect.
longing
a strong wish for something or someone that is absent or hard to reach.
insecure
feeling uncertain about your own value or how others see you.
bewildered
feeling completely confused and unable to understand what is happening.
empathy
the ability to understand and share another person's feelings as if they were your own.
paranoid
feeling an irrational fear that people are watching you or trying to harm you.
sentimental
having strong feelings of love or sadness connected to past memories.
loathe
to feel a very strong and intense dislike for someone or something.
perplexed
feeling completely puzzled and unable to explain something.
at ease
feeling relaxed, comfortable, and not anxious in a situation.
bitter
feeling angry and resentful because of unfair treatment or loss.
overwhelmed with joy
feeling so extremely happy that it is hard to control or contain.
disillusioned
feeling disappointed after discovering something is not as good as you believed.
enthusiastic
showing intense eagerness and interest in something you care about.
suppress
to stop yourself from expressing or showing a feeling.
ambivalent
having two opposing feelings about something at the same time, making choice difficult.
mood
a strong emotional state that colours the way you think and behave.