There are 24 emotions that start with the letter “I,” ranging from simple feelings like “ick” to complex states such as “isolation.” These emotions cover a wide spectrum, including anger, curiosity, frustration, and confidence, showing how diverse human feelings can be even within one letter of the alphabet. Many of these emotions have roots in everyday experiences and reflect both positive and negative states, highlighting the rich variety of ways we process the world around us.
Below is a complete list of these emotions, organized in a clear and easy-to-navigate table.
Emotions This column names each emotion starting with “I,” helping you quickly identify the feeling discussed.
Type Here you find a brief description of the category or nature of the emotion, such as whether it relates to anger, sadness, or motivation.
Definition This section offers a clear and simple explanation of what the emotion means, written to be easy to understand.
Example Usage This part gives a short sentence showing how the emotion can be used in everyday language, making the feeling relatable.
Descripción This final column provides a detailed description of the emotion, explaining its nuances and the way it affects people’s thoughts and behaviors.
Emotions that start with I
| Emotions | Type | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ick | Feeling of disgust/repulsion | A feeling of sudden aversion or disgust, often in response to something perceived as unpleasant or gross. | Just thinking about that slimy texture gives me the ick. |
| Ignominy | State of disgrace/shame | Public shame or disgrace, often resulting from a dishonorable act. | The politician faced ignominy after the scandal was revealed. |
| Ill-will | Hostile feeling/Animosity | Unfriendly or hostile feelings; animosity. | Despite their past arguments, she bore him no ill-will. |
| Impatience | Emotion of frustration/eagerness | The state of being unable to wait calmly or tolerate delay. | His impatience grew with each passing minute the train was delayed. |
| Impotence | Feeling of powerlessness/helplessness | The state of being helpless or powerless; inability to take effective action. | He felt a profound sense of impotence watching the injustice unfold. |
| Inadequacy | Feeling of insufficiency/self-doubt | The feeling of not being good enough, or not being able to cope with a situation. | She struggled with feelings of inadequacy in her new, challenging role. |
| Incredulity | State of disbelief | The state of being unwilling or unable to believe something. | He listened to the fantastic story with an expression of incredulity. |
| Indifference | Lack of interest/concern | Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy. | Her indifference to the suffering of others was unsettling. |
| Indignation | Anger at injustice | Anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment. | The public reacted with indignation to the corrupt official’s actions. |
| Infatuation | Intense but short-lived passion | An intense but short-lived passion or admiration for someone or something. | His infatuation with the pop star faded as quickly as it began. |
| Inferiority | Feeling of being lesser | The feeling of being less important, skillful, or worthy than others. | He carried a lifelong burden of inferiority due to a critical parent. |
| Infuriation | Intense anger | The act of making someone extremely angry, or the state of being extremely angry. | The constant delays led to his complete infuriation. |
| Inhibition | Emotional restraint/suppression | A feeling that makes one self-conscious and unable to act in a relaxed and natural way. | She dropped her inhibitions and danced freely at the party. |
| Inquietude | State of disquiet/restlessness | A state of uneasiness or agitation; a feeling of disquiet. | A sense of inquietude settled over her as she waited for the news. |
| Insecurity | Feeling of self-doubt/vulnerability | A state of being subject to fears, doubts, or anxiety; lack of confidence. | His outward bravado often masked deep feelings of insecurity. |
| Inspiration | Positive emotion/Motivating force | The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. | Her journey was an inspiration to many aspiring artists. |
| Interest | Cognitive emotion/Engagement | The feeling of wanting to know or learn about something or someone. | He showed a keen interest in ancient history. |
| Intimidation | Emotion induced by fear/Threat | The action of frightening or overawing someone, especially in order to make them do what one wants. | The new boss’s stern demeanor created a sense of intimidation among the staff. |
| Intrigue | Emotion of curiosity/Fascination | To arouse the curiosity or interest of. | The mysterious old house held a strange intrigue for the children. |
| Invigoration | Positive feeling/Energy boost | The action of giving strength or energy to something or someone; the state of being invigorated. | The morning jog gave her a sense of invigoration. |
| Invincibility | Feeling of supreme power/confidence | The state of being too powerful to be defeated or overcome; a feeling of being unstoppable. | After winning the championship, the team felt a surge of invincibility. |
| Ire | Intense anger/Wrath | Anger; wrath. | The manager’s unfair decision provoked the ire of the entire staff. |
| Irritation | Minor annoyance/Frustration | The state of feeling annoyed, impatient, or slightly angry. | The constant tapping sound caused him great irritation. |
| Isolation | Emotional state of solitude/Loneliness | The state of being alone or cut off from others. | She experienced profound isolation after moving to a new city without friends. |
Descriptions
Ick
The “ick” factor describes a strong, visceral feeling of disgust or revulsion, often triggered by something unappealing. It’s an instinctive emotional response that can make one feel uncomfortable or even nauseated. This sudden aversion is a powerful human emotion.
Ignominy
Ignominy is a profound sense of public shame or disgrace, an emotional burden borne when one’s reputation is severely tarnished. It reflects a loss of honor and respect, leaving an individual with feelings of deep humiliation and social rejection, impacting their emotional well-being significantly.
Ill-will
Ill-will signifies a persistent feeling of animosity or hostility towards someone, a negative emotional state. It’s a desire for another’s misfortune or a lack of goodwill, often stemming from past grievances. This emotion can fester, affecting relationships and personal peace.
Impatience
Impatience is a common emotion marked by a feeling of frustration or agitation when confronted with delay or waiting. It’s a strong desire for something to happen quickly, often leading to irritability. This emotion reflects a challenge in managing anticipation and control.
Impotence
Impotence, in an emotional context, is the distressing feeling of being utterly powerless or helpless to change a situation. It’s a deep sense of frustration and inability to act effectively, leading to emotional distress. This feeling can erode confidence and contribute to despair.
Inadequacy
Inadequacy is the pervasive emotional experience of feeling insufficient or not capable enough. It’s a form of self-doubt that can undermine confidence and personal worth. This unsettling emotion often leads to anxiety and a reluctance to pursue goals.
Incredulity
Incredulity is an emotional state characterized by profound disbelief or skepticism. It’s the feeling you get when something seems too improbable to be true, making it difficult to accept. This emotion highlights a clash between what is presented and what one deems plausible.
Indifference
Indifference is an emotional state marked by a lack of interest, concern, or empathy towards something or someone. It signifies a detachment that can be perceived as coldness or apathy. While not an active emotion, its absence of feeling is significant in human interaction.
Indignation
Indignation is a powerful emotion combining anger and annoyance, specifically aroused by perceived injustice or unfair treatment. It’s a righteous anger that often motivates action against wrongs. This strong moral emotion drives people to challenge unfairness.
Infatuation
Infatuation is an intense, often irrational, emotional state of admiration or passion, typically for another person. Unlike deep love, it tends to be fleeting and superficial, driven by idealization rather than true understanding. This powerful, consuming emotion often burns out quickly.
Inferiority
Inferiority is the distressing emotional state of feeling less capable, worthy, or significant than others. This complex emotion can stem from comparisons or past experiences, leading to low self-esteem and hindering personal growth. It profoundly affects one’s sense of self.
Infuriation
Infuriation is an intense and overwhelming emotional state of extreme anger. It signifies a point beyond mere irritation, where anger becomes consuming and potentially overwhelming. This powerful emotion can be triggered by deep frustration or perceived wrongdoing.
Inhibition
Inhibition, in an emotional context, refers to the restraint or suppression of impulses, feelings, or actions. It’s the feeling that holds one back from expressing themselves freely, often due to self-consciousness or social norms. This emotional barrier can impact social interaction.
Inquietude
Inquietude is a subtle but persistent emotional state of uneasiness, restlessness, or disquiet. It’s a feeling of inner agitation, often without a clear cause, making one feel unsettled or anxious. This quiet discomfort can affect peace of mind.
Insecurity
Insecurity is a pervasive emotional state characterized by self-doubt, vulnerability, and a lack of confidence. It often manifests as anxiety about one’s worth or abilities. This challenging emotion can hinder personal growth and relationships.
Inspiration
Inspiration is a positive and uplifting emotion, a sudden spark of creativity, motivation, or enthusiasm. It’s the feeling of being divinely or mentally stimulated to act or create. This powerful emotion drives innovation and personal achievement.
Interest
Interest is a fundamental emotion that drives curiosity and engagement. It’s the feeling of wanting to explore, learn, or understand more about something. This cognitive emotion is crucial for learning, exploration, and personal development, fostering a sense of connection.
Intimidation
Intimidation is an emotion experienced when one feels threatened, pressured, or made to feel afraid by another person’s actions or presence. It’s a feeling of being overawed or coerced, often leading to a loss of confidence. This challenging emotion can significantly impact behavior.
Intrigue
Intrigue, as an emotion, is a powerful feeling of curiosity and fascination, often mixed with a sense of mystery or complexity. It’s the emotional pull that draws one into a situation, making them eager to uncover secrets or understand hidden motives. This emotion fuels curiosity.
Invigoration
Invigoration is a positive emotion characterized by a feeling of renewed energy, vitality, and freshness. It’s the sensation of being filled with strength and enthusiasm, often after a refreshing experience. This uplifting emotion boosts both physical and mental well-being.
Invincibility
Invincibility, as an emotion, is a potent feeling of being unstoppable, supremely powerful, and immune to defeat. It’s a heightened sense of confidence and capability, often experienced after great success. This powerful emotional state can inspire bold actions.
Ire
Ire is an archaic but powerful term for intense anger or wrath. It describes a strong, often righteous, emotional response to perceived wrongdoing or injustice. This potent emotion can be deep-seated and difficult to quell, similar to fury.
Irritation
Irritation is a common, often mild, emotional state of annoyance, impatience, or frustration. It’s a feeling of being bothered by something minor but persistent. This emotion, while usually not severe, can build up over time.
Isolation
Isolation, as an emotion, describes the deep and often painful feeling of being alone, disconnected, or separated from others. It’s a sense of loneliness and emotional distance, even when physically surrounded by people. This challenging emotion can significantly impact mental health.