Feel vs. Realize — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 2, 2024
Feel refers to experiencing sensations or emotions, while realize is coming to understand or become aware of something.
Difference Between Feel and Realize
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Feel involves a direct engagement with emotions or physical sensations, often without the immediate involvement of rational thought. It's a process that can be intuitive and subjective, varying greatly from one individual to another based on personal experiences, emotional states, and even cultural backgrounds. On the other hand, to realize is to come to an understanding or awareness of something through observation, learning, or reasoning. It implies a cognitive process where facts, concepts, or truths are discovered or acknowledged. Realization can follow an intellectual journey, often leading to moments of clarity or understanding about one’s self, others, or the world.
Feelings can often be the catalyst for realization. For instance, feeling uneasy in a particular situation might lead to the realization that one needs to make a change in their life. This sequence highlights how emotional responses can trigger deeper cognitive processes that lead to significant insights or decisions.
While realization often follows a logical or reflective process, feelings are more immediate and can be influenced by a wide range of factors, including one's environment, physical state, and interactions with others. The realization, however, is marked by a clear understanding or acceptance of a fact or idea, which is usually the result of deliberate thought or learning.
Both feeling and realizing are integral to the human experience but operate on different levels of consciousness. Feeling is inherently tied to our emotional and physical states, offering a direct and often visceral understanding of our inner world. Realizing, in contrast, engages our cognitive faculties, allowing us to piece together insights and understandings that shape our perception of the world around us.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Emotional or sensory
Cognitive
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Process
Intuitive and subjective
Reflective and analytical
Trigger
Internal states, external stimuli
Information, observation, learning
Outcome
Emotional state or physical sensation
Awareness or understanding
Example Sentence
"I feel cold."
"I realize I need to wear more layers in winter."
Compare with Definitions
Feel
To experience an emotion or sensation
I feel joy every time I see a sunset.
Realize
To become fully aware of something as a fact
He realized the importance of exercise in his daily routine.
Feel
To have a particular opinion or belief without certain proof
I feel that this is the best course of action.
Realize
To convert something into money or its equivalent
The artist realized a profit from the sale of his paintings.
Feel
To be conscious of a particular physical, emotional, or mental state
She felt tired after the long journey.
Realize
To achieve something desired or envisioned
She realized her dream of becoming a doctor.
Feel
To empathize or sympathize with someone
I can feel your frustration with the situation.
Realize
To understand or become aware of a situation
They realized too late that they had made a mistake.
Feel
Be aware of (a person or object) through touching or being touched
She felt someone touch her shoulder
You can feel the soft grass beneath your feet
Realize
Become fully aware of (something) as a fact; understand clearly
They realized that something was wrong
He realized his mistake at once
Feel
Experience (an emotion or sensation)
She started to feel really sick
It felt odd to be alone again
We feel very strongly about freedom of expression
I felt a sense of excitement
Realize
Cause to happen
His worst fears have been realized
Feel
Have a belief or impression, especially without an identifiable reason
She felt that the woman positively disliked her
Realize
Give actual or physical form to
The stage designs have been beautifully realized
Feel
An act of touching something to examine it.
Realize
Make (a profit) from a transaction
She realized a profit of $100,000
Feel
A sensation given by an object or material when touched
Nylon cloth with a cotton feel
Realize
To comprehend completely or correctly.
Feel
Feelings of heightened emotion
Fans will undoubtedly get the feels when they see how things haven't changed
I cry at everything, even the types of movies you wouldn't expect to give you all the feels
Realize
To bring into reality; make real
He finally realized his lifelong ambition to learn how to play the violin.
Feel
To perceive through the sense of touch
Feel the velvety smoothness of a peach.
Realize
To make realistic
A film that realizes court life of the 1600s.
Feel
To perceive as a physical sensation
Feel a sharp pain.
Feel the cold.
Realize
To obtain or achieve, as gain or profit
She realized a substantial return on the investment.
Feel
To touch
Reached out and felt the wall.
Realize
To bring in (a sum) as profit by sale.
Feel
To examine by touching
Felt the fabric for flaws.
Realize
To exchange holdings or goods for money.
Feel
To test or explore with caution
Feel one's way in a new job.
Realize
To make real; to convert from the imaginary or fictitious into reality; to bring into real existence
The objectives of the project were never fully realized.
Feel
To undergo the experience of
Felt my interest rising.
Felt great joy.
Realize
(transitive) To become aware of (a fact or situation, especially of something that has been true for a long time).
He realized that he had left his umbrella on the train.
The defendant desperately yelled at her young daughter, frantic to make her realize what she had done.
Feel
To be aware of; sense
Felt the anger of the crowd.
Realize
(transitive) To cause to seem real to other people.
Feel
To be emotionally affected by
She still feels the loss of her dog.
Realize
(transitive) To sense vividly or strongly; to make one's own in thought or experience.
Feel
To be persuaded of (something) on the basis of intuition, emotion, or other indefinite grounds
I feel that what the informant says may well be true.
Realize
To acquire as an actual possession; to obtain as the result of plans and efforts; to gain; to get
To realize large profits from a speculation
Feel
To believe; think
She felt his answer to be evasive.
Realize
To convert any kind of property into money, especially property representing investments, such as shares, bonds, etc.
Profits from the investment can be realized at any time by selling the shares.
By realizing the company's assets, the liquidator was able to return most of the shareholders’ investments.
Feel
To experience the sensation of touch.
Realize
To convert into real property; to make real estate of.
Feel
To produce a particular sensation, especially through the sense of touch
The sheets felt smooth.
Realize
To turn an abstract linguistic object into actual language, especially said of a phoneme's conversion into speech sound.
The southern /v/ is realized as the voiced approximant [ʋ].
Feel
To produce a particular impression; appear to be; seem
It feels good to be home. See Usage Note at well2.
Realize
To make real; to convert from the imaginary or fictitious into the actual; to bring into concrete existence; to effectuate; to accomplish; as, to realize a scheme or project.
We realize what Archimedes had only in hypothesis, weighing a single grain against the globe of earth.
Feel
To be conscious of a specified kind or quality of physical, mental, or emotional state
Felt warm and content.
Feels strongly about the election.
Realize
To cause to seem real; to impress upon the mind as actual; to feel vividly or strongly; to make one's own in apprehension or experience.
Many coincidences . . . soon begin to appear in them [Greek inscriptions] which realize ancient history to us.
We can not realize it in thought, that the object . . . had really no being at any past moment.
Feel
To seek or explore something by the sense of touch
Felt for the light switch in the dark.
Realize
To convert into real property; to make real estate of; as, to realize his fortune.
Feel
To have compassion or sympathy
I feel for him in his troubles.
Realize
To acquire as an actual possession; to obtain as the result of plans and efforts; to gain; to get; as, to realize large profits from a speculation.
Knighthood was not beyond the reach of any man who could by diligent thrift realize a good estate.
Feel
Perception by touch or by sensation of the skin
A feel of autumn in the air.
Realize
To convert into actual money; as, to realize assets.
Feel
The sense of touch
A surface that is rough to the feel.
Realize
To convert any kind of property into money, especially property representing investments, as shares in stock companies, bonds, etc.
Wary men took the alarm, and began to realize, a word now first brought into use to express the conversion of ideal property into something real.
Feel
An act or instance of touching or feeling
Gave the carpet a feel.
Realize
Be fully aware or cognizant of
Feel
An overall impression or effect
"gives such disparate pictures ... a crazily convincing documentary feel" (Stephen King).
Realize
Perceive (an idea or situation) mentally;
Now I see!
I just can't see your point
Does she realize how important this decision is?
I don't understand the idea
Feel
Intuitive awareness or natural ability
Has a feel for decorating.
Realize
Make real or concrete; give reality or substance to;
Our ideas must be substantiated into actions
Feel
(heading) To use or experience the sense of touch.
Realize
Earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages;
How much do you make a month in your new job?
She earns a lot in her new job
This merger brought in lots of money
He clears $5,000 each month
Feel
To become aware of through the skin; to use the sense of touch on.
You can feel a heartbeat if you put your fingers on your breast.
I felt cold and miserable all night.
Realize
Convert into cash; of goods and property
Feel
(transitive) To find one's way (literally or figuratively) by touching or using cautious movements.
I felt my way through the darkened room.
I felt my way cautiously through the dangerous business maneuver.
Realize
Expand or complete (a thorough-based part in a piece of baroque music) by supplying the harmonies indicated in the figured bass
Feel
(intransitive) To receive information by touch or by any neurons other than those responsible for sight, smell, taste, or hearing.
Feel
(intransitive) To search by sense of touch.
He felt for the light switch in the dark.
Feel
(heading) To sense or think emotionally or judgmentally.
Feel
(transitive) To experience an emotion or other mental state about.
I can feel the sadness in his poems.
Feel
(transitive) To think, believe, or have an impression concerning.
I feel that we need to try harder.
Feel
To experience an emotion or other mental state.
He obviously feels strongly about it.
She felt even more upset when she heard the details.
Feel
(intransitive) To sympathise; to have the sensibilities moved or affected.
I feel for you and your plight.
Feel
(transitive) To be or become aware of.
Feel
(transitive) To experience the consequences of.
Feel my wrath!
Feel
(copulative) To seem (through touch or otherwise).
It looks like wood, but it feels more like plastic.
This is supposed to be a party, but it feels more like a funeral!
Feel
To understand.
I don't want you back here, ya feel me?
Feel
(archaic) The sense of touch.
Feel
A perception experienced mainly or solely through the sense of touch.
Bark has a rough feel.
Feel
A vague mental impression.
You should get a feel for the area before moving in.
Feel
An act of fondling.
She gave me a quick feel to show that she loves me.
Feel
A vague understanding.
I'm getting a feel for what you mean.
Feel
An intuitive ability.
She has a feel for music.
Feel
A feeling; an emotion.
I know that feel.
Feel
Alternative form of fele
Feel
Alternative form of fele
Feel
Alternative form of fele
Feel
To perceive by the touch; to take cognizance of by means of the nerves of sensation distributed all over the body, especially by those of the skin; to have sensation excited by contact of (a thing) with the body or limbs.
Who feelThose rods of scorpions and those whips of steel.
Feel
To touch; to handle; to examine by touching; as, feel this piece of silk; hence, to make trial of; to test; often with out.
Come near, . . . that I may feel thee, my son.
He hath this to feel my affection to your honor.
Feel
To perceive by the mind; to have a sense of; to experience; to be affected by; to be sensible of, or sensitive to; as, to feel pleasure; to feel pain.
Teach me to feel another's woe.
Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing.
He best can paint them who shall feel them most.
Mankind have felt their strength and made it felt.
Feel
To take internal cognizance of; to be conscious of; to have an inward persuasion of.
For then, and not till then, he felt himself.
Feel
To perceive; to observe.
Feel
To have perception by the touch, or by contact of anything with the nerves of sensation, especially those upon the surface of the body.
Feel
To have the sensibilities moved or affected.
[She] feels with the dignity of a Roman matron
And mine as man, who feel for all mankind.
Feel
To be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, persuasion, physical condition, etc.; to perceive one's self to be; - followed by an adjective describing the state, etc.; as, to feel assured, grieved, persuaded.
I then did feel full sick.
Feel
To know with feeling; to be conscious; hence, to know certainly or without misgiving.
Garlands . . . which I feelI am not worthy yet to wear.
Feel
To appear to the touch; to give a perception; to produce an impression by the nerves of sensation; - followed by an adjective describing the kind of sensation.
Blind men say black feels rough, and white feels smooth.
Feel
Feeling; perception.
To intercept and have a more kindly feel of its genial warmth.
Feel
A sensation communicated by touching; impression made upon one who touches or handles; as, this leather has a greasy feel.
The difference between these two tumors will be distinguished by the feel.
Feel
An intuitive awareness;
He has a feel for animals
It's easy when you get the feel of it
Feel
The general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people;
The feel of the city excited him
A clergyman improved the tone of the meeting
It had the smell of treason
Feel
A property perceived by touch
Feel
Undergo an emotional sensation;
She felt resentful
He felt regret
Feel
Come to believe on the basis of emotion, intuitions, or indefinite grounds;
I feel that he doesn't like me
I find him to be obnoxious
I found the movie rather entertaining
Feel
Perceive by a physical sensation, e.g., coming from the skin or muscles;
He felt the wind
She felt an object brushing her arm
He felt his flesh crawl
She felt the heat when she got out of the car
Feel
Seem with respect to a given sensation given;
My cold is gone--I feel fine today
She felt tired after the long hike
Feel
Have a feeling or perception about oneself in reaction to someone's behavior or attitude;
She felt small and insignificant
You make me feel naked
I made the students feel different about themselves
Feel
Undergo passive experience of:
We felt the effects of inflation
Her fingers felt their way through the string quartet
She felt his contempt of her
Feel
Be felt or perceived in a certain way;
The ground feels shaky
The sheets feel soft
Feel
Grope or feel in search of something;
He felt for his wallet
Feel
Examine by touch;
Feel this soft cloth!
The customer fingered the sweater
Feel
Examine (a body part) by palpation;
The nurse palpated the patient's stomach
The runner felt her pulse
Feel
Find by testing or cautious exploration;
He felt his way around the dark room
Feel
Produce a certain impression;
It feels nice to be home again
Common Curiosities
Can you feel and realize something at the same time?
Yes, it's possible to feel and realize something simultaneously, as feelings can lead to realizations.
What does it mean to feel something?
To feel something means to experience an emotion or physical sensation.
How does feeling different from thinking?
Feeling is an emotional or sensory experience, whereas thinking is a cognitive process involving reasoning.
Is it possible to realize something without feeling it?
Yes, you can realize something intellectually without it evoking a strong emotional response.
Is realizing always a conscious process?
Realizing is typically a conscious process, involving awareness or understanding.
Can a realization change how you feel?
Yes, a realization can significantly change how you feel about a situation or person.
Can feelings be wrong?
Feelings are subjective experiences and not about being right or wrong, but interpretations of them can be misguided.
How can realizing something affect your actions?
Realizing something can lead to a change in actions or decisions based on the new understanding.
Do feelings always lead to realizations?
Not always, but feelings can often be a precursor to or trigger realizations.
Can everyone realize the same thing in a given situation?
Not necessarily, as realizations can be influenced by individual perspectives and experiences.
How does culture affect feelings?
Culture can shape how individuals express and interpret feelings, influencing emotional experiences.
What role do feelings play in decision-making?
Feelings can significantly influence decision-making, often serving as a guide or a warning.
Is realization a form of learning?
Yes, realization is a form of learning, as it involves gaining new understanding or insight.
Is it important to pay attention to both feelings and realizations?
Yes, paying attention to both provides a more comprehensive understanding of oneself and the surrounding world.
How can I enhance my ability to realize things?
Enhancing realization abilities can involve practices like mindfulness, critical thinking, and being open to new experiences.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
