WordGarden.iofeely
A2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈfili/
Meanings
Adjective
inclined to touch or handle things, or to touch people while interacting
(slang)openly emotional, sentimental, or focused on feelings
soft, smooth, or velvety to the touch
Beyond the definition
"Feely" is an informal word. Most often, it describes something that is very emotional, warm, soft-hearted, or a little too focused on feelings. A film with sad music and tearful scenes might seem "feely." A person who talks openly about their emotions, hugs a lot, or reacts from the heart might also be described this way. The tone is often slightly joking or mildly critical, as if the speaker thinks something is more emotional than necessary.
The word also has a more physical sense. It can describe something meant to be touched or explored by hand, especially in playful or practical settings. A "feely bag," for example, is a bag that you reach into without looking so you can guess what is inside by touch alone. This touch-based meaning is simple and literal, while the emotional meaning is more common in everyday adult conversation.
"Feely" is an informal adjective with two main uses. In one use, it means very emotional, openly expressive, or a bit sentimental. In the other, it means related to touch or to learning about something by feeling it with your hands. The exact meaning depends on the context.
In emotional contexts, "feely" often suggests more feeling than the speaker wants or expects. A speech, film, advertisement, song, or conversation may be called "feely" if it leans hard on tenderness, tears, comfort, or personal sharing. A person can also be called "feely" if they are physically affectionate, quick to talk about emotions, or strongly guided by their feelings. The word is often close in tone to "touchy-feely," which became common in the 1970s and often carried a slightly mocking tone about emotional openness, therapy culture, or group sharing.
In physical contexts, "feely" is much more literal. It can describe an activity, object, or game that depends on touch. A child may play with a "feely bag" or a "feely box," reaching inside to identify hidden objects by touch. In that kind of use, the word has nothing to do with sentimentality; it simply points to the sense of touch.
So if someone says, "That movie was too feely for me," they usually mean it was too emotional or sentimental. But if a teacher says, "We brought in some feely materials for the children," they probably mean things with interesting textures that invite touch. The word is casual, flexible, and slightly playful, and it often carries a hint of the speaker's attitude toward emotion or touch.
Examples
- 1
Caring personality
She's not a very feely person, but she always checks in when I'm having a hard week.
- 2
Emotional workshop
The workshop got a bit feely once people started talking about their childhoods.
- Phrasegot feely
became more emotional or personal
- 3
Personal discomfort
I don't mind honest conversations, but anything too feely makes me uncomfortable.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- feely