sensation

sensation — noun

1. a physical experience in your body that you are aware of, such as heat, cold, pa

1.nounB1
Definition

a physical experience in your body that you are aware of, such as heat, cold, pain, or pressure

Example

Anjali felt a burning sensation on her arm after touching the hot pan.

collocation: burning sensation / tingling sensation

After the accident, Takeshi had no sensation in his left hand for several hours.

uncountable: physical ability to feel

Common collocations
  • burning sensation
  • tingling sensation
  • numb sensation
  • prickling sensation
  • physical sensation
  • lose sensation
  • sensation of heat
Synonyms
  • feeling

    broader term, covers both physical and emotional experiences

  • tingle

    a specific light prickling or stinging sensation

  • perception

    more formal and cognitive; involves mental interpretation of sensory input

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

sensation of + noun

sensation in + body part

Usage Note

Frequently used as an uncountable noun when referring to the physical ability rather than a specific feeling. As an uncountable noun it cannot be preceded by 'a': 'He lost all sensation in his legs' (not 'a sensation').

Common Mistakes

I had a strange sensation that I was being followed.
I had a strange feeling that I was being followed.
'Sensation' in its physical sense describes bodily experiences (heat, tingling, numbness). For mental impressions or suspicions, use 'feeling' instead.

2. a hard-to-describe impression that comes from a situation or experience, rather

2.nounB2
Definition

a hard-to-describe impression that comes from a situation or experience, rather than from a clear physical cause

Example

Jessica had the strange sensation that someone was watching her from across the room.

sensation + that-clause

Felix felt a sinking sensation in his stomach when he heard the bad news.

Common collocations
  • strange sensation
  • odd sensation
  • eerie sensation
  • sinking sensation
  • uncomfortable sensation
  • sensation that
  • vague sensation
Synonyms
  • impression

    focuses on how something seems to you, slightly more cognitive

  • feeling

    broader term, works for both physical and emotional experiences

  • hunch

    informal, based on intuition rather than observation

Grammar Patterns

sensation + that-clause

sensation of + noun phrase

Usage Note

This sense is almost always followed by a that-clause ('the sensation that...') or an of-phrase ('a sensation of...'). The impression it describes is vague — if the feeling is clear and specific, 'feeling' or 'sense' is more appropriate.

Common Mistakes

She felt a sensation of pure joy when she saw the ocean.
She felt a wave of pure joy when she saw the ocean.
'Sensation' in this sense is for vague, hard-to-name impressions (being watched, something being wrong), not for strong, clearly identifiable emotions like joy.

3. a state of great public excitement and widespread interest, or a person or thing

3.nounB2
Definition

a state of great public excitement and widespread interest, or a person or thing that produces this reaction

Example

The young pianist caused a sensation with her first public performance in Taipei.

verb phrase: cause a sensation

Rodrigo's new film became an international sensation, drawing crowds across Europe.

Common collocations
  • cause a sensation
  • create a sensation
  • international sensation
  • overnight sensation
  • media sensation
  • become a sensation
  • sensation among
Synonyms
  • excitement

    focuses on the emotional state itself rather than the cause

  • stir

    milder public reaction, often short-lived

  • commotion

    noisy, visible public reaction, often with confusion

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

cause/create a sensation

become a sensation

sensation among + group

Usage Note

When referring to a person who has suddenly become famous ('overnight sensation'), the word is countable and usually requires an article. When referring to the state of excitement itself, it can be uncountable: 'The news caused great sensation among fans.'

Common Mistakes

The local choir was a sensation with the fifty people in the hall.
The local choir was a hit with the fifty people in the hall.
'Sensation' implies widespread public excitement, not just pleasing a small local audience.

Word family

  • sensational
    adjectiveB2
  • sensationally
    adverbC1
  • sensationalize
    verbC1
  • sensationalism
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Feeling is the broadest term, covering both physical sensations and emotions — you can have a feeling of warmth or a feeling of joy. Sensation narrows this to physical bodily awareness (heat, cold, pressure, pain) and is less commonly used for emotions. Tingle is a specific type of sensation — a light prickling or stinging feeling, like the pins-and-needles sensation in a foot that has 'fallen asleep.' Perception is more formal and cognitive, often implying mental interpretation of sensory input rather than raw physical awareness. Awareness is even broader, covering any state of knowing or noticing. For describing what your body physically tells you, sensation is the most precise: 'He felt a burning sensation on his skin' is more concrete than 'He felt a burning feeling' and more natural than 'He perceived a burning heat.'

feeling ↗tingleperceptionawareness ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • sensation of something
  • sensation in something
  • sensation among

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'sensatio' (perception, feeling), based on 'sensus' (the faculty of feeling), from 'sentire' (to perceive, feel). Entered English in the early 1600s through French. The meaning 'a state of excited public interest' developed in the mid-1800s.