feeler

/ˈfiːlə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfiːlər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfē-lər/ (ame, mw)

feeler — noun

  • feelersingular
  • feelersplural

1. a thin, movable part on the heads of insects, crabs, and similar animals, used t

1.名詞B1
釋義

a thin, movable part on the heads of insects, crabs, and similar animals, used to touch and sense the surrounding environment

例句

The garden ant touched a blade of grass with its feelers before climbing over it.

collocation: touch with feelers

Sophie watched a snail extend its feelers to touch the morning dew on a leaf.

同義詞
  • antenna

    the more formal or scientific term; 'antennae' is the plural used in biology

  • tentacle

    used for soft, flexible feelers on creatures such as snails or octopuses

  • whisker

    used for the long sensitive hairs on the face of a cat, dog, or other mammal — not for insects

文法句型

usually plural when referring to an insect's or animal's body parts

用法筆記

The plural form 'feelers' is much more common than the singular when referring to the paired body parts of insects and similar animals.

常見錯誤

❌The butterfly has two long feeler on its head.
✅The butterfly has two long feelers on its head.
💡'Feeler' is a countable noun; the plural 'feelers' must be used when referring to both parts of the pair.

2. a question or suggestion made gently to test other people's possible reactions b

2.名詞C1
釋義

a question or suggestion made gently to test other people's possible reactions before deciding on a course of action

例句

The company put out feelers to see if its rival was open to a merger.

idiomatic phrase: put out feelers

Before applying to any school, Ananya sent out feelers to several professors she admired.

同義詞
  • overture

    more formal, often used in diplomatic or business contexts

  • trial balloon

    specifically refers to testing public or political opinion before making a formal announcement

  • probe

    suggests a careful, systematic investigation rather than a casual suggestion

文法句型

put out feelers

send out feelers

用法筆記

Almost always used in the plural in the fixed phrases 'put out feelers' or 'send out feelers', even when only a single inquiry is made. The singular ('a feeler') occurs occasionally in explanatory contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The manager put out a feeler about the salary change.
✅The manager put out feelers about the salary change.
💡The idiomatic expression uses the plural 'feelers' regardless of whether one or several inquiries are being made.