Part of Speech

• Noun

Phonetic Transcription

• /ˈfiːlər/

Meaning and Usage

The word "feeler" can refer to a variety of contexts in the English language, including:

1. A sensory appendage (such as an antenna) on certain animals used for perceiving the environment.
2. A person who attempts to gauge the feelings, opinions, or reactions of others, often in social or political contexts.
3. An informal term for a person who is cautious or tentative in expressing opinions or desires.

The word "feeler" is moderately used in both oral and written contexts but is more common in informal spoken conversations.

Example Sentences

1. He extended a feeler to see if anyone was interested in joining the project.
   Translation: Él extendió un sondeo para ver si alguien estaba interesado en unirse al proyecto.

2. The insect's feelers detected the presence of danger nearby.
   Translation: Los antenas del insecto detectaron la presencia de peligro cercano.

3. She often plays the feeler in group discussions, trying to understand how everyone feels.
   Translation: Ella a menudo actúa como sondeadora en las discusiones de grupo, tratando de entender cómo se siente cada uno.

Idiomatic Expressions

The term "feeler" is not frequently used in idiomatic expressions but may appear in expressions relating to assessing situations or gathering opinions.

1. I'm just putting out a feeler to find out if there’s interest in a weekend trip.
   Translation: Solo estoy sondeando para averiguar si hay interés en un viaje de fin de semana.

2. He’s a bit of a feeler; he likes to know how everyone is before making decisions.
   Translation: Él es un poco sondeador; le gusta saber cómo está cada uno antes de tomar decisiones.

3. She sent out a feeler to see if the company was open to negotiating her salary.
   Translation: Ella envió un sondeo para ver si la empresa estaba dispuesta a negociar su salario.

4. You might want to send out a few feelers before committing to that business deal.
   Translation: Quizás quieras enviar algunos sondeos antes de comprometerte con ese trato comercial.

Etymology

The term "feeler" originates from the root word "feel," which comes from the Old English "fēlan," meaning "to perceive, to touch." It has been used in various contexts since the early 14th century.

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms:
• Sensor
• Antenna
• Probe

• Gauge

• Antonyms:

• Ignoramus (in the context of someone who is unaware of others’ feelings)
• Oblivious

This comprehensive overview provides you with an in-depth understanding of the word "feeler."