Advanced English vocabulary for expressing feelings and emotions.
How are you feeling? I mean, how are you really feeling?
In today's English lesson, we're going to explore some advanced English vocabulary for talking about our emotions and feelings. This will help you express and articulate yourself better.
Tip for Retaining Vocabulary: Journaling in English is a powerful daily practice for expanding your vocabulary. Whether it's a written, audio, or video journal, use and seek out language that is relevant to you. If you’d like to find out more about using journaling as a tool for developing your English then take a look at this page, where you can download a free PDF with 30 journaling prompts.
Watch the video below to see how I use the vocabulary covered in today’s lesson.
1. Vocabulary for expressing happiness
Think about a really happy time in your life. Here are some expressions to describe such moments:
Elated: Feeling extremely happy and excited.
Over the moon: Extremely happy and pleased.
Thrilled to bits: Very happy and excited.
Delighted: Feeling or showing great pleasure.
On a high: Feeling very happy and excited.
Ecstatic: Feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement.
2. Vocabulary for expressing sadness
When reflecting on sad times, such as the loss of a loved one, these expressions can be used:
Devastated: Extremely upset and shocked.
Disheartened: Feeling a loss of hope or confidence.
Heartbroken: Suffering from overwhelming sorrow or grief.
Overwhelmed with grief: Completely taken over by sorrow.
3. Vocabulary for expressing uncertainty
When you feel unsure about something, you might use these words:
Unsure: Not certain or confident about something.
Torn: Feeling divided between two options.
Hesitant: Unsure and slow in making a decision.
Testing the water: Trying something out before making a final decision.
Undecided: Not having made a decision.
Conflicted: Having conflicting feelings or thoughts.
Ambivalent: Having mixed or contradictory feelings about something.
In two minds: Being uncertain about a decision.
4. Vocabulary for expressing nervousness
Feeling nervous is common, and here are some ways to describe it:
Anxious: Feeling worried or uneasy.
Tensed up: Feeling tense and unable to relax.
On edge: Feeling nervous and unable to relax.
Wary: Feeling cautious or on alert.
Bag of nerves: Extremely nervous.
Shaking from head to toe: Very nervous, to the point of trembling.
Uncomfortable: Feeling uneasy or awkward.
5. Vocabulary for expressing thoughtfulness
When you are deep in thought or considering something carefully, you might use:
Thoughtful: Thinking carefully about something.
Pensive: Engaged in deep or serious thought.
Empathic: Being able to understand and share the feelings of others.
6. Vocabulary for strong emotions
When emotions are particularly intense, these expressions can be useful:
Overwhelmed with: Completely overcome by a feeling.
Example: Overwhelmed with joy.
Example: Overwhelmed with grief.
Beside oneself with: Extremely emotional about something.
Example: Beside oneself with nerves.
Example: Beside oneself with excitement.
7. Vocabulary for expressing optimism
To talk about a positive outlook on life, use:
Optimistic: Hopeful and confident about the future.
Positive outlook: Having a hopeful perspective.
Upbeat: Cheerful and optimistic.
Encouraged: Feeling inspired and motivated by something.