Empathy
ˈɛmpəθi
Usage Pattern
Quick Memory Tip
Imagine you're feeling the same feelings as someone else. That's empathy.
Definitions
Empathy
(noun)ˈɛmpəθi
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
The capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, i.e., the capacity to place oneself in another's position.
Her empathy allowed her to connect with the audience on a deeper level.
💡 Simply: Empathy is like when you see your friend is sad, and you also feel a little bit sad because you understand how they're feeling. It's like sharing their emotions!
👶 For kids: Feeling how someone else feels, like if your friend is sad, you feel a little sad too.
More Examples
The teacher showed empathy for the student's struggles.
It takes empathy to truly understand another person's perspective.
How It's Used
"Therapists often use empathy to help patients feel understood."
"Empathy is crucial for building strong interpersonal relationships."
"The novel's success lies in its ability to evoke empathy for the characters."
From Greek *empatheia* (affection, passion), from *empathēs* (feeling or suffering with), from *en-* (in) + *pathos* (feeling, suffering). Coined in the early 20th century.
The term gained popularity in the early 20th century, particularly within the fields of psychology and social sciences.
Word Origin
"feeling, suffering"