sensation

/senˈseɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /senˈseɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /sen-ˈsā-shən sən-/ (ame, mw)

sensation — noun

  • sensationsingular
  • sensationsplural

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

1.名詞B1
釋義

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

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

文法句型

sensation of + noun

sensation in + body part

用法筆記

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').

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B2
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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

文法句型

sensation + that-clause

sensation of + noun phrase

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B2
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

文法句型

cause/create a sensation

become a sensation

sensation among + group

用法筆記

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.'

常見錯誤

❌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.