Definition and meaning of English word "empathy"
empathy
/ˈɛmpəθi/
Meaning
NounIdentification with or understanding of the thoughts, feelings, or emotional state of another person.
How to use
Empathy is a formal and rather abstract term often used in professional, academic, or therapeutic contexts. A common learner mistake is to confuse 'empathy' with 'sympathy', which, although related, involves feeling sorry for someone rather than understanding their perspective. For example, 'The therapist's empathy helped the patient open up about their feelings.'
🇬🇧 English
empathy
Example
She had a lot of empathy for her neighbor; she knew what it was like to lose a parent too.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationSynonyms
Common phrases
- feel empathy— feel empathy
- show empathy— show empathy
- lack of empathy— lack of empathy
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #1395 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "empathy" mean?▼
The English word "empathy" means "empathy" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "empathy"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "empathy" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "empathy"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "She had a lot of empathy for her neighbor; she knew what it was like to lose a parent too." (which translates as "empathy").
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