Feal vs Feel: Which One Should You Use?

Have you ever stumbled across the word “feal” while reading older texts and wondered if it was simply a misspelling of “feel”? Or perhaps you’ve seen both words used and couldn’t quite pinpoint the difference? You’re not alone. The confusion between these two words has puzzled many English language users for generations, and today we’re diving deep into the distinction between these terms. Many writers get confused by Feal vs Feel Which One Should You Use in daily writing.

Introduction

The English language is filled with words that sound alike but have entirely different meanings and origins. These homophones can create confusion, especially when one term has fallen out of common usage while the other remains frequently used. “Feal” and “feel” represent a perfect example of this linguistic phenomenon. If you’ve ever wondered about Feal vs Feel Which One Should You Use, this guide clears it up.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore:

• The true definition and origins of the archaic term “feal”
• The multiple meanings and uses of “feel” as both a verb and noun
• Historical contexts where these words diverge
• Common mistakes people make when encountering these terms
• Practical examples to help you understand the difference

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of when to use each term and why the distinction matters for precise communication, especially in historical or literary contexts.

What Does “Feal” Actually Mean?

When most modern English speakers encounter the word “feal,” they might assume it’s simply a misspelling of the common word “feel.” However, “feal” is actually a legitimate word with its own distinct meaning and history. The article titled Feal vs Feel Which One Should You Use explains their meaning clearly.

“Feal” primarily exists as an adjective in historical language, meaning loyal, faithful, or trustworthy. This definition has largely disappeared from modern usage, but you’ll still find it in historical texts, particularly those from Scotland and Northern England. Teachers often get questions like Feal vs Feel Which One Should You Use from students.

For example, a “feal servant” would be a loyal or trustworthy servant. The term could apply to people, animals, or even abstract concepts like devotion or allegiance.

In certain obscure contexts, “feal” also appeared as a verb meaning “to hide” or “to conceal,” though this usage was considerably rarer even in periods when the word was more common. Our language blog just published a post on Feal vs Feel Which One Should You Use—go check it out!

“The feal knight stood by his lord through the darkest days of battle.” – Example from medieval literature

The key thing to understand is that “feal” is not simply an alternative spelling of “feel” but a separate word with its own lexical meaning and applications.

The Historical Origins of “Feal”

To truly understand the word “feal,” we need to explore its etymology—the study of a word’s origins and how its form and meaning have changed throughout history.

“Feal” traces its roots back to several linguistic sources:

Time Period	Language	Related Word	Approximate Meaning
13th-15th Century	Middle English	“fel”	Faithful, loyal
Before 12th Century	Old English	“fæle”	Faithful, trustworthy
Earlier origins	Proto-Germanic	“*failiz”	Suitable, fitting
Related terms	Old Norse	“félag”	Fellowship, partnership

The word “feal” was most commonly used in Scottish English and Northern English dialects, where it persisted longer than in other regions. Its usage in literature peaked during the medieval period through the Renaissance, appearing in various texts including poetry, legal documents, and personal correspondence.

By the 18th century, “feal” had largely disappeared from common usage, relegated to historical contexts, specialized literature, and certain regional dialects. The decline of “feal” coincided with the standardization of English and the shift away from many regional and archaic terms.

Language evolution has left “feal” as what linguists would classify as an obsolete or archaic word—one that was once standard but has fallen out of common usage in modern times.

What Does “Feel” Mean? (Multiple Uses Explained)

Unlike its archaic counterpart, “feel” remains one of the most frequently used words in modern English. Its versatility allows it to function as both a verb and a noun, covering a wide range of meanings related to sensory perception and emotional states.

Feel as a Verb

As a verb, “feel” has several core meanings:

1. To perceive through physical touch
   • “I can feel the rough texture of the bark.”
   • “She felt the cool breeze on her face.”
2. To experience an emotion or sensation
   • “I feel happy about the news.”
   • “He felt a sharp pain in his shoulder.”
3. To believe or have an opinion
   • “I feel this decision is the right one.”
   • “They feel strongly about environmental issues.”
4. To sense or be aware of something intuitively
   • “She could feel that something was wrong.”
   • “I feel like we’re being watched.”

Feel as a Noun

As a noun, “feel” generally refers to:

1. A tactile sensation
   • “The feel of silk against skin is luxurious.”
   • “This fabric has a rough feel to it.”
2. An atmosphere or quality
   • “The restaurant has a cozy feel.”
   • “There’s a vintage feel to her photography.”
3. An intuitive understanding
   • “She has a good feel for the market.”
   • “He’s lost his feel for the game.”

The versatility of “feel” in modern usage is evident in how it bridges physical sensations, emotional experiences, and intuitive understanding—all concepts related to perception but in different domains of experience.

The Etymology of “Feel”

The word “feel” has evolved significantly over centuries, with roots that trace back to ancient Germanic languages.

Time Period	Language	Related Word	Approximate Meaning
13th-15th Century	Middle English	“felen”	To perceive by touch
Before 12th Century	Old English	“fēlan”	To touch, perceive
Earlier origins	Proto-Germanic	“*fōlijaną”	To feel, touch
Related terms	Germanic languages	Various forms	Sense of touch or perception

Unlike “feal,” the word “feel” maintained consistent usage throughout the development of the English language, though its contextual meaning expanded over time. Initially focused primarily on physical touch, the word gradually incorporated emotional and intuitive meanings.

This semantic expansion reflects a common pattern in language evolution, where concrete physical meanings often expand to include more abstract concepts. The development of “feel” to encompass emotional states is an example of metaphorical extension—we understand emotions as things we can “feel” similar to how we feel physical sensations.

Key Differences: “Feal” vs “Feel”

To clarify the distinction between these terms, let’s examine their key differences across several dimensions:

Grammatical Function

• Feal: Primarily functions as an adjective meaning “faithful” or “loyal”; rarely used as a verb meaning “to hide”
• Feel: Functions commonly as both a verb (to perceive) and a noun (a sensation or impression)

Usage Timeline

• Feal: Largely obsolete in contemporary English; common in medieval through early modern periods
• Feel: Continuously used from Old English to present day with expanding meanings

Subject Matter

• Feal: When used as an adjective, typically describes loyalty, faithfulness, or trustworthiness
• Feel: Relates to physical sensations, emotions, intuitions, and perceptions

Regional Associations

• Feal: Historically more common in Scottish English and Northern English dialects
• Feel: Universal across all English dialects and varieties

Contemporary Relevance

• Feal: Found primarily in historical texts, poetry, or deliberate archaisms
• Feel: Essential vocabulary in everyday modern English

Understanding these differences helps clarify that these aren’t simply spelling variations but distinct words with separate histories and applications.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Several factors contribute to the confusion between “feal” and “feel”:

1. Visual similarity: The words differ by only one letter.
2. Phonetic similarity: They’re pronounced almost identically in many dialects.
3. Modern unfamiliarity: Most English speakers have never encountered “feal” in everyday usage.
4. Autocorrect and spell-check: Many digital tools automatically “correct” feal to feel, reinforcing the misconception.
5. Confusion with “fealty”: Some associate “feal” with the related but distinct word “fealty” (a feudal tenant’s oath of loyalty).

A common mistake is assuming that “feal” is simply an archaic or alternative spelling of “feel.” While both words evolved from Germanic roots, they developed along separate etymological paths with distinct meanings.

Another misconception is that “feal” might be a dialectal pronunciation or spelling variant. While regional variations influenced its persistence in certain areas, it was a standard word with its own definition, not merely a pronunciation difference.

“Feal” in Different Forms

Although less versatile than “feel,” the word “feal” did appear in several forms throughout its usage history:

As an Adjective

The primary use of “feal” was as an adjective meaning faithful, loyal, or trustworthy:

• “His feal service to the crown earned him lands and titles.”
• “The knight’s feal devotion to his lady inspired many ballads.”
• “A feal friend stands by you in times of trouble.”

This adjectival form occasionally appeared with comparative and superlative forms:

• Comparative: “fealer” (more faithful)
• Superlative: “fealest” (most faithful)

As a Verb

Less commonly, “feal” functioned as a verb meaning to hide or conceal:

• “He fealed the treasure beneath the floorboards.”
• “The thief fealed himself in the shadows.”

This verbal usage was relatively rare even when the word was in more common circulation.

Related Terms

Several words related to “feal” have persisted longer in English:

• Fealty: A noun meaning loyalty or allegiance, especially the oath of a feudal tenant to his lord
• Fell: In some contexts meaning fierce or terrible (from a different etymological root)
• Fele: Another archaic spelling variant sometimes found in medieval texts

“The vassal swore fealty to his lord, promising to remain feal in both peace and war.” – From a historical text on feudal relationships

“Feel” in Various Forms

The word “feel” demonstrates remarkable versatility in modern English, appearing in numerous forms and constructions:

As a Verb

The verb form of “feel” conjugates regularly:

• Present simple: I/you/we/they feel; he/she/it feels
• Past simple: felt
• Present participle: feeling
• Past participle: felt

Examples of verbal usage:

• “I feel a headache coming on.”
• “She felt deeply moved by the performance.”
• “They’re feeling excited about the upcoming trip.”

As a Noun

As a noun, “feel” typically appears in singular form, though “feels” has emerged as a plural form in informal contexts, particularly regarding emotional responses:

• “The soft feel of cashmere”
• “The beach has a tropical feel”
• “That movie gave me all the feels” (informal/slang)

Common Phrases and Idioms

“Feel” appears in numerous fixed expressions:

• “Feel free to…”
• “Feel at home”
• “Feel under the weather”
• “Feel up to something”
• “Feel out of place”
• “Get a feel for”
• “Feel one’s way”

Phrasal Verbs

“Feel” combines with prepositions and adverbs to create phrasal verbs with modified meanings:

• Feel around: to search for something by touch
• Feel for: to empathize with someone
• Feel out: to carefully assess a situation
• Feel up to: to have enough energy or confidence for a task

This grammatical versatility demonstrates why “feel” has remained such an essential and frequently used word in the English language.

Examples in Context

To better understand the distinction between these words, let’s examine them in authentic contexts:

Historical Examples of “Feal”

Scottish legal documents (16th century):

“The tenant shall remain feal and leal to his liege lord in all matters of estate.”

Medieval poetry:

“With feal heart and steady hand, the knight defended his sacred land.”

a letter (circa 1650):

“I assure you of my most feal service in this and all other matters wherein you may command me.”

Modern Examples of “Feel”

Contemporary literature:

“She could feel the tension in the room as soon as she walked through the door.”

From everyday conversation:

“I feel like we should reconsider our options before making a final decision.”

Product descriptions:

“This premium mattress provides a luxurious feel for the ultimate sleeping experience.”

The contrast in these examples highlights not just different meanings but different eras of English usage, with “feal” firmly rooted in historical contexts and “feel” remaining vibrant in contemporary language.

Synonyms and Related Words

Modern Alternatives to “Feal”

Since “feal” is obsolete in modern English, here are contemporary words that convey similar meanings:

For the adjectival meaning:

• Loyal
• Faithful
• Trustworthy
• Devoted
• Steadfast
• True
• Dependable
• Reliable

For the less common verbal meaning:

• Hide
• Conceal
• Mask
• Cover
• Obscure
• Secrete
• Stash

Words Related to “Feel”

The rich semantic field surrounding “feel” includes:

Physical sensation:

• Touch
• Sense
• Perceive
• Experience
• Detect

Emotional state:

• Experience
• Undergo
• Suffer
• Enjoy
• Endure

Intuition:

• Sense
• Intuit
• Perceive
• Discern
• Apprehend

Understanding these semantic fields helps illustrate how “feal” and “feel” occupy entirely different conceptual spaces despite their similar appearance and pronunciation.

Practical Application Guide

When to Use “Feel”

“Feel” is appropriate in virtually all modern contexts when referring to:

• Physical sensations
• Emotional experiences
• Opinions or beliefs
• Intuitive perceptions
• Tactile qualities
• Atmospheres or impressions

Examples of correct usage:

• “I feel cold.”
• “She feels strongly about this issue.”
• “The fabric feels soft.”
• “I have a good feeling about this.”

When to Use “Feal”

Given its archaic status, “feal” is generally only appropriate in:

• Historical fiction set in medieval or Renaissance periods
• Scholarly discussions of historical texts
• Deliberate archaisms or poetic contexts
• Direct quotations from historical sources

Examples of appropriate usage:

• In a historical novel: “The feal knight stood vigilant at his post.”
• In a scholarly paper: “The term ‘feal’ appears frequently in Scottish legal documents of the period, indicating the importance of loyalty in feudal relationships.”

Tips for Remembering the Difference

• Etymology association: Connect “feal” with “fealty” (loyalty) and “feel” with sensation.
• Historical context: Remember that “feal” belongs to historical contexts while “feel” remains in current usage.
• Part of speech reminder: “Feal” is primarily an adjective describing loyalty; “feel” is commonly a verb or noun related to sensation.

FAQ About “Feal” vs “Feel”

Q: Is “feal” simply an old spelling of “feel”?

A: No, they are entirely different words with separate etymologies and meanings. “Feal” primarily meant “faithful” or “loyal,” while “feel” relates to sensation and perception.

Q: Why do I rarely see “feal” in modern texts?

A: “Feal” is an archaic term that fell out of common usage by the 18th century. You’ll typically only encounter it in historical texts, scholarly discussions, or historical fiction.

Q: Are there any contexts where “feal” is still used today?

A: Very rarely. Occasionally, “feal” appears in historical fiction, poetry aiming for an archaic tone, or academic discussions of historical language. Some Scottish dialectal contexts might preserve it in specialized usage.

Q: How do I know if I’ve encountered “feal” or a misspelling of “feel”?

A: Context is key. If the word appears in a historical text and seems to be describing loyalty or faithfulness, it’s likely “feal.” If it appears in modern text discussing sensations or emotions, it’s more likely a misspelling of “feel.”

Q: Does “feal” have any modern descendants in English?

A: The most direct modern descendant is “fealty,” which refers to the loyalty or allegiance that a feudal tenant or vassal owed to a lord.

Q: Is there any connection between the verb form of “feal” (to hide) and the modern word “feel”?

A: No direct connection exists between these meanings. The verb “feal” meaning “to hide” developed separately from “feel” meaning “to perceive.”

Conclusion

The distinction between “feal” and “feel” offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of the English language. What appears at first glance to be a simple spelling variation actually represents two separate linguistic journeys:

• Feal: An archaic adjective meaning “faithful” or “loyal” that has largely disappeared from modern usage except in historical contexts.
• Feel: A versatile word that has remained central to English expression, evolving to encompass physical sensations, emotional experiences, and intuitive perceptions.

Understanding these differences not only helps avoid confusion when reading historical texts but also provides insight into how language evolves over time. Words come and go from common usage, meanings shift and expand, and what once was everyday vocabulary can become obscure within a few generations. When reading historical texts, Feal vs Feel Which One Should You Use might come to mind.

While you’re unlikely to need “feal” in everyday communication, recognizing it when you encounter it in historical or literary contexts adds another dimension to your understanding of English language history and development. Grammar websites often cover topics like Feal vs Feel Which One Should You Use to help learners.

The next time you come across “feal” in an old text, you’ll know it’s not a typo or variant spelling—it’s a window into how our ancestors expressed concepts of loyalty and faithfulness in their own linguistic landscape. Think about context before deciding Feal vs Feel Which One Should You Use in your writing.

Resources for Further Learning

If you’re interested in learning more about archaic English terms or the evolution of language, consider exploring these resources:

• Historical dictionaries like the Oxford English Dictionary (OED)
• Etymological dictionaries that trace word origins
• Collections of medieval and Renaissance literature
• Linguistic studies on language change and obsolescence
• Scottish historical texts where “feal” appears more frequently

The study of words like “feal” and “feel” reminds us that language is not static but constantly evolving—a living record of human thought and communication across centuries.