Fill vs. Feel — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 15, 2024
"Fill" refers to making something full or complete, typically by adding content, while "feel" relates to experiencing sensations or emotions.
Difference Between Fill and Feel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Fill" involves adding a substance or material to a space until it is full or no longer empty, focusing on the action of completion. Whereas "feel" refers to the perception of sensations or emotions, emphasizing a subjective experience.
When using "fill," the context usually involves physical objects, such as water filling a glass, indicating a tangible action. On the other hand, "feel" is often used in the context of emotions or physical sensations, like feeling happy or feeling the texture of silk, which are intangible and personal.
"Fill" can also signify occupying a space or role, as in "fill a position" at work, implying a functional or utilitarian aspect. In contrast, "feel" can denote understanding or empathy, such as "feel someone's pain," highlighting an emotional connection.
In terms of grammar, "fill" is commonly followed by objects that denote what is being filled and what is used to fill it, like "fill a cup with water." Conversely, "feel" is followed by an adjective or about personal experience, such as "feel tired" or "feel about a decision."
Comparison Chart
Definition
To make full; to occupy space
To experience sensations or emotions
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Context Usage
Physical and functional
Emotional and sensory
Common Collocations
Fill a gap, fill a form
Feel happy, feel rough
Grammatical Complements
Fill [something] with [substance]
Feel [adjective/noun]
Example
Fill the bottle with water.
Feel the softness of the blanket.
Compare with Definitions
Fill
To make something full; to occupy space fully.
He filled the jar with coins.
Feel
To have a particular opinion or thought about something.
She feels that it's going to be a good day.
Fill
To complete by supplying required or missing details.
Fill out the application form thoroughly.
Feel
To experience an emotion or sensation.
I feel joy when I see the sunset.
Fill
To occupy a position or role.
She was chosen to fill the vacant position.
Feel
To explore or search by touching.
He felt in his pocket for his keys.
Fill
To satisfy a need or desire.
The hearty meal filled him completely.
Feel
To receive a physical sensation.
He could feel the cold wind against his face.
Fill
To become full of.
The room quickly filled with smoke.
Feel
To perceive through the sense of touch.
Feel the texture of this fabric.
Fill
To put something into (a container, for example) to capacity or to a desired level
Fill a glass with milk.
Filled the tub with water.
Feel
To be aware of; sense
Felt the anger of the crowd.
Fill
To supply or provide to the fullest extent
Filled the mall with new stores.
Feel
To be emotionally affected by
She still feels the loss of her dog.
Fill
To build up the level of (low-lying land) with material such as earth or gravel.
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
Fill
To stop or plug up (an opening, for example).
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
Fill
To repair a cavity of (a tooth).
Feel
Have a belief or impression, especially without an identifiable reason
She felt that the woman positively disliked her
Fill
To add a foreign substance to (cloth or wood, for example).
Feel
An act of touching something to examine it.
Fill
To flow or move into (a container or area), often to capacity
Water is filling the basement. Fans are filling the stadium.
Feel
A sensation given by an object or material when touched
Nylon cloth with a cotton feel
Fill
To pervade
Music filled the room.
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
Fill
To satiate, as with food and drink
The guests filled themselves with pie.
Feel
To perceive through the sense of touch
Feel the velvety smoothness of a peach.
Fill
To engage or occupy completely
A song that filled me with nostalgia.
Feel
To perceive as a physical sensation
Feel a sharp pain.
Feel the cold.
Fill
To satisfy or meet; fulfill
Fill the requirements.
Feel
To touch
Reached out and felt the wall.
Fill
To supply what is specified by or required for
Fill a prescription.
Fill an order.
Feel
To examine by touching
Felt the fabric for flaws.
Fill
To put a person into (a job or position)
We filled the job with a new hire.
Feel
To test or explore with caution
Feel one's way in a new job.
Fill
To discharge the duties of; occupy
How long has she filled that post?.
Feel
To undergo the experience of
Felt my interest rising.
Felt great joy.
Fill
To cover the surface of (an inexpensive metal) with a layer of precious metal, such as gold.
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.
Fill
To cause (a sail) to swell.
Feel
To believe; think
She felt his answer to be evasive.
Fill
To adjust (a yard) so that wind will cause a sail to swell.
Feel
To experience the sensation of touch.
Fill
To become full
The basement is filling with water.
Feel
To produce a particular sensation, especially through the sense of touch
The sheets felt smooth.
Fill
An amount needed to make full, complete, or satisfied
Eat one's fill.
Feel
To produce a particular impression; appear to be; seem
It feels good to be home. See Usage Note at well2.
Fill
Material for filling a container, cavity, or passage.
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.
Fill
A built-up piece of land; an embankment.
Feel
To seek or explore something by the sense of touch
Felt for the light switch in the dark.
Fill
The material, such as earth or gravel, used for this.
Feel
To have compassion or sympathy
I feel for him in his troubles.
Fill
(transitive) To occupy fully, to take up all of.
Feel
Perception by touch or by sensation of the skin
A feel of autumn in the air.
Fill
(transitive) To add contents to (a container, cavity, or the like) so that it is full.
Feel
The sense of touch
A surface that is rough to the feel.
Fill
To enter (something), making it full.
Feel
An act or instance of touching or feeling
Gave the carpet a feel.
Fill
(intransitive) To become full.
The bucket filled with rain;
The sails fill with wind
Feel
An overall impression or effect
"gives such disparate pictures ... a crazily convincing documentary feel" (Stephen King).
Fill
(intransitive) To become pervaded with something.
My heart filled with joy.
Feel
Intuitive awareness or natural ability
Has a feel for decorating.
Fill
(transitive) To satisfy or obey (an order, request, or requirement).
The pharmacist filled my prescription for penicillin.
We can't let the library close! It fills a great need in the community.
Feel
(heading) To use or experience the sense of touch.
Fill
(transitive) To install someone, or be installed, in (a position or office), eliminating a vacancy.
Sorry, no more applicants. The position has been filled.
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.
Fill
(transitive) To treat (a tooth) by adding a dental filling to it.
Dr. Smith filled Jim's cavity with silver amalgam.
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.
Fill
(transitive) To fill or supply fully with food; to feed; to satisfy.
Feel
(intransitive) To receive information by touch or by any neurons other than those responsible for sight, smell, taste, or hearing.
Fill
To trim (a yard) so that the wind blows on the after side of the sails.
Feel
(intransitive) To search by sense of touch.
He felt for the light switch in the dark.
Fill
(after a possessive) A sufficient or more than sufficient amount.
Don't feed him any more: he's had his fill.
Feel
(heading) To sense or think emotionally or judgmentally.
Fill
An amount that fills a container.
The mixer returned to the plant for another fill.
Feel
(transitive) To experience an emotion or other mental state about.
I can feel the sadness in his poems.
Fill
The filling of a container or area.
That machine can do 20 fills a minute.
This paint program supports lines, circles, and textured fills.
Feel
(transitive) To think, believe, or have an impression concerning.
I feel that we need to try harder.
Fill
Inexpensive material used to occupy empty spaces, especially in construction.
The ruins of earlier buildings were used as fill for more recent construction.
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.
Fill
(archaeology) Soil and/or human-created debris discovered within a cavity or cut in the layers and exposed by excavation; fill soil.
Feel
(intransitive) To sympathise; to have the sensibilities moved or affected.
I feel for you and your plight.
Fill
An embankment, as in railroad construction, to fill a hollow or ravine; also, the place which is to be filled.
Feel
(transitive) To be or become aware of.
Fill
(music) A short passage, riff, or rhythmic sound that helps to keep the listener's attention during a break between the phrases of a melody.
Bass fill
Feel
(transitive) To experience the consequences of.
Feel my wrath!
Fill
One of the thills or shafts of a carriage.
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!
Fill
One of the thills or shafts of a carriage.
Feel
To understand.
I don't want you back here, ya feel me?
Fill
A full supply, as much as supplies want; as much as gives complete satisfaction.
I'll bear thee hence, where I may weep my fill.
Feel
(archaic) The sense of touch.
Fill
That which fills; filling; filler; specif., an embankment, as in railroad construction, to fill a hollow or ravine; also, the place which is to be filled.
Feel
A perception experienced mainly or solely through the sense of touch.
Bark has a rough feel.
Fill
To make full; to supply with as much as can be held or contained; to put or pour into, till no more can be received; to occupy the whole capacity of.
The rain also filleth the pools.
Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. Anf they filled them up to the brim.
Feel
A vague mental impression.
You should get a feel for the area before moving in.
Fill
To furnish an abudant supply to; to furnish with as mush as is desired or desirable; to occupy the whole of; to swarm in or overrun.
And God blessed them, saying. Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas.
The Syrians filled the country.
Feel
An act of fondling.
She gave me a quick feel to show that she loves me.
Fill
To fill or supply fully with food; to feed; to satisfy.
Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fillso great a multitude?
Things that are sweet and fat are more filling.
Feel
A vague understanding.
I'm getting a feel for what you mean.
Fill
To possess and perform the duties of; to officiate in, as an incumbent; to occupy; to hold; as, a king fills a throne; the president fills the office of chief magistrate; the speaker of the House fills the chair.
Feel
An intuitive ability.
She has a feel for music.
Fill
To supply with an incumbent; as, to fill an office or a vacancy.
Feel
A feeling; an emotion.
I know that feel.
Fill
To press and dilate, as a sail; as, the wind filled the sails.
Feel
Alternative form of fele
Fill
To make an embankment in, or raise the level of (a low place), with earth or gravel.
Feel
Alternative form of fele
Fill
To become full; to have the whole capacity occupied; to have an abundant supply; to be satiated; as, corn fills well in a warm season; the sail fills with the wind.
Feel
Alternative form of fele
Fill
To fill a cup or glass for drinking.
Give me some wine; fill full.
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.
Fill
A quantity sufficient to satisfy;
He ate his fill of potatoes
She had heard her fill of gossip
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.
Fill
Any material that fills a space or container;
There was not enough fill for the trench
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.
Fill
Make full, also in a metaphorical sense;
Fill a container
Fill the child with pride
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.
Fill
Become full;
The pool slowly filled with water
The theater filled up slowly
Feel
To perceive; to observe.
Fill
Occupy the whole of;
The liquid fills the container
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.
Fill
Assume, as of positions or roles;
She took the job as director of development
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.
Fill
Fill or meet a want or need
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.
Fill
Appoint someone to (a position or a job)
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.
Fill
Eat until one is sated;
He filled up on turkey
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.
Fill
Fill to satisfaction;
I am sated
Feel
Feeling; perception.
To intercept and have a more kindly feel of its genial warmth.
Fill
Plug with a substance;
Fill a cavity
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
What is the main difference between "fill" and "feel"?
"Fill" refers to making something complete or full, often physically, while "feel" involves experiencing sensations or emotions.
Can "fill" imply a psychological aspect?
Yes, "fill" can have a psychological aspect, such as "fill a need" or "fill a void."
Can "fill" and "feel" be used interchangeably?
No, they cannot be used interchangeably as they pertain to different actions and experiences.
What is a synonym for "feel"?
A synonym for "feel" could be "experience" or "perceive."
How do the uses of "fill" and "feel" differ in professional settings?
In professional settings, "fill" often refers to completing tasks or roles, while "feel" may relate to interpersonal relations or personal reflections on work climate.
How do "fill" and "feel" function in a sentence grammatically?
"Fill" is typically a transitive verb needing an object, e.g., "fill a bottle." "Feel" can be transitive or intransitive, e.g., "feel happy" or "feel the fabric."
What does it mean to "fill someone's shoes"?
It means to take over someone's responsibilities, typically in a job or role.
Is "fill" used in digital contexts?
Yes, "fill" is used in digital contexts, such as "fill out a form online."
What does it mean to "feel blue"?
It's an idiomatic expression meaning to feel sad or depressed.
What type of verb is "feel"?
"Feel" can be both a linking verb and an action verb depending on its use in a sentence.
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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.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
