Feelings & emotions
Adjectives to talk about how we feel – from positive to negative, neutral and very strong emotions.
B2 Pre-Advanced
Vocabulary
Feelings & emotions
A Positive emotions
-
joyful
– very happy, often because of good news or a pleasant surprise.
She felt joyful when her friends organised a surprise party for her birthday. -
excited
– happy and full of energy because something good is going to happen.
The children were excited about their school trip to the mountains. -
content
– quietly happy and satisfied; not looking for anything more.
After dinner and a hot shower, he sat on the sofa feeling content. -
grateful
– thankful for help, kindness or something good that has happened.
She was deeply grateful for all the support during her recovery. -
proud
– pleased and happy about your own or someone else’s achievements.
He was proud of his son for passing all his exams. -
confident
– sure of yourself and your abilities; not easily worried about failing.
After lots of practice, she felt confident about giving the presentation. -
hopeful
– believing that something good is still possible.
Despite the bad news, they remained hopeful about the future. -
relieved
– happy because a bad or stressful situation is over or didn’t happen.
He was relieved when the doctor said it was nothing serious.
B Negative emotions
-
offended
– hurt or annoyed because you feel someone has been rude to you.
She felt offended by his joke and stopped talking to him. -
anxious
– worried and nervous about something that may happen.
I always feel anxious before important exams. -
frustrated
– annoyed because you can’t achieve what you want.
He grew frustrated when the website kept crashing. -
disappointed
– unhappy because something was not as good as you expected.
She was disappointed when the concert was cancelled. -
guilty
– feeling bad because you think you did something wrong.
He felt guilty for shouting at his little brother. -
nervous
– worried or shaky because something stressful is coming.
She was nervous before her first day at the new job. -
upset
– sad or emotionally disturbed because of something that happened.
He looked really upset after the argument with his friend. -
depressed
– very unhappy and without hope, often for a long period.
After losing her job, she felt depressed for several months.
C Neutral emotions
-
calm
– relaxed and not worried or angry.
She took a deep breath and tried to stay calm during the exam. -
indifferent
– having no strong interest or feelings about something.
He seemed indifferent to the result of the game. -
bored
– tired and not interested because nothing exciting is happening.
The students were bored after listening to two long speeches. -
curious
– wanting to know or learn more about something.
I’m curious to know why he left the company so suddenly. -
tired
– lacking energy and needing rest or sleep.
After a 10-hour shift, she was exhausted and tired. -
relaxed
– calm and comfortable because nothing is worrying you.
He felt relaxed lying on the beach with a book. -
puzzled
– confused because something is difficult to understand.
She looked puzzled when she read the strange message. -
neutral
– not taking sides; having no strong opinion or emotion.
He tried to stay neutral and not join the argument. -
reserved
– not showing your feelings easily; keeping emotions private.
He is quite reserved and rarely talks about his problems. -
satisfied
– pleased because something was good enough or successful.
She felt satisfied after finishing the project on time.
D Intense emotions
-
ecstatic
– extremely happy; full of joy.
They were ecstatic when their team finally won the final. -
furious
– very, very angry.
She was furious when she realised someone had damaged her car. -
terrified
– extremely frightened; very scared.
He felt terrified during the storm on the mountain. -
exhilarated
– feeling extremely excited and alive, often after a big experience.
After the roller coaster ride, they were exhausted but exhilarated. -
devastated
– very shocked and deeply sad because of something terrible.
She was devastated when she heard about her friend’s accident. -
overwhelmed
– feeling that emotions or responsibilities are too much to handle.
He felt overwhelmed by all the deadlines and phone calls. -
desperate
– having almost no hope and willing to try anything.
After months without work, she was desperate to find a job. -
hysterical
– so emotional that you lose control, often from fear, anger or panic.
When the alarm went off, some people became hysterical. -
stunned
– so shocked that you can hardly react or speak.
He was stunned when they announced his name as the winner. -
bewildered
– extremely confused and not sure what to do.
Arriving in a new city at night, she felt completely bewildered.
Stronger emotions for B2 speaking & writing
Exercises:
Feelings & Emotions
Choose the correct option to complete each sentence below.
1
After hearing the good news, she felt extremely happy and full of joy – she was truly
.
Correct:
Joyful = extremely happy and full of joy.
2
The children couldn't sleep the night before the trip; they were very energetic and looking forward to it – they were
about the journey.
Correct:
Excited = very happy and enthusiastic because something good is going to happen.
3
He doesn't need a lot of money; he feels quietly happy and satisfied with his simple life – he is
with what he has.
Correct:
Content = calmly happy and satisfied with your situation.
4
After her friends helped her move house, she felt very thankful to them – she was
for their support.
Correct:
Grateful = feeling or showing thanks to someone.
5
When his daughter graduated from university, he felt very pleased because of her achievement – he was
of her.
Correct:
Proud = pleased and satisfied because of your own or someone else's success.
6
She knows she has the right skills for the job and believes in herself – she feels very
before the interview.
Correct:
Confident = sure of your abilities or decisions; not shy or nervous.
7
The situation is difficult, but they still expect that things will improve – they feel
about the future.
Correct:
Hopeful = feeling that something good will probably happen.
8
He thought he had lost his passport, but then he found it in his bag and suddenly felt relaxed again – he was
when he saw it.
Correct:
Relieved = happy and relaxed because something bad did not happen or has ended.
9
When he joked about her accent, she felt hurt and insulted by his words – she was
by the comment.
Correct:
Offended = feeling hurt or insulted by something someone says or does.
10
He has an important exam tomorrow and can't stop worrying about it – he feels very
about the result.
Correct:
Anxious = very worried and nervous, often for some time.
11
She has tried to fix the computer all day and nothing works; she feels angry because she can't succeed – she is
with the situation.
Correct:
Frustrated = annoyed and unhappy because you cannot achieve what you want.
12
He expected to get the job, but they chose another candidate; he felt sad because his hopes were not met – he was
by the decision.
Correct:
Disappointed = unhappy because something is not as good as you hoped or expected.
13
She forgot her friend's birthday and felt bad because she knew it was her fault – she felt
all day.
Correct:
Guilty = feeling that you have done something wrong.
14
Before going on stage, his hands were shaking and his heart was beating fast – he felt very
about performing in front of so many people.
Correct:
Nervous = worried and a little afraid, especially before something difficult or important.
15
When she heard the bad news about her friend, she became very sad and worried – she was
for the rest of the day.
Correct:
Upset = unhappy, worried or angry because something bad has happened.
16
For months he has had no energy or interest in anything and feels deeply sad most of the time – he is
and may need professional help.
Correct:
Depressed = very unhappy for a long period; often a medical condition.
Feelings & Emotions
Match the sentences with the emotion words
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