You know that moment when you’re feeling something…
but you don’t know how to put it into words?
That quiet tug in your chest?
That mix of happy and sad, or the secondhand embarrassment that lingers longer than it should?
Well — English has a word for that.
Actually, it has many.
In this post, I’m walking you through 7 emotional words that students often feel before they ever learn how to say them.
Because language isn’t just grammar.
It’s how we name the parts of ourselves we didn’t know we could explain.
🏡 1. Homesick – /ˈhəʊm.sɪk/ (BrE) – /ˈhoʊm.sɪk/ (AmE)
What it means: Missing the place — or people — that feel like home.
In a sentence:
“I moved to a new city. It’s exciting… but I miss my grandma’s soup. I feel homesick.”
This one isn’t just about geography. It’s about belonging.
😬 2. Awkward – /ˈɔː.kwəd/ (BrE) – /ˈɑː.kwɚd/ (AmE)
What it means: When something feels weird or uncomfortable — especially around people.
In a sentence:
“The waiter said, ‘Enjoy your meal.’ I said, ‘You too.’ Awkward.”
We’ve all been there. You laugh it off, but inside, you flinch a little.
🥲 3. Bittersweet – /ˌbɪt.əˈswiːt/ (BrE) – /ˌbɪt̬.ɚˈswiːt/ (AmE)
What it means: When something is happy and sad at the same time.
In a sentence:
“I watched my best friend get married. I smiled through tears. It was bittersweet.”
Bittersweet is the emotion that plays a violin in your chest.
😖 4. Cringe – /krɪndʒ/
What it means: So embarrassing, it makes you curl up inside.
In a sentence:
“I found my old Facebook photos from 2012. Cringe.”
Short, sharp, and deeply Gen Z. But let’s be honest — we’ve all had cringe moments since the dawn of the internet.
💭 5. Longing – /ˈlɒŋ.ɪŋ/ (BrE) – /ˈlɑːŋ.ɪŋ/ (AmE)
What it means: A deep, quiet wish for something far away.
In a sentence:
“She looked out the window, thinking of someone she missed. That feeling was longing.”
Longing doesn’t shout. It waits, whispers, and stays.
😵 6. Overwhelmed
/ˌəʊ.vəˈwelmd/ (BrE) – /ˌoʊ.vɚˈwelmd/ (AmE)
What it means: When everything feels too much at once.
In a sentence:
“My inbox was full, my brain was foggy, and I forgot what I was even doing. I felt overwhelmed.”
This one’s a quiet panic. Not loud, but heavy. Like you’re carrying too many tabs open in your mind.
🌿 Final Thought
Some feelings don’t come with subtitles.
But English has soft, honest words that help us explain what’s going on inside.
Learning a language isn’t just about test scores.
It’s about saying, “This is how I feel.”
So — which word felt like you today?
Or is there a feeling you’ve never found a word for?
Written by Alpcan Özışıkçılar
Creative English Teacher | Language meets emotion.
Instagram: englishwith.alpcan
Creative English With Alpcan 