empathic — showing the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: showing the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈempəθɪk/
Example Sentences
- My empathic coworker always knows when I need chocolate... or a vacation.
- The therapist's empathic approach helped the patient feel understood.
- Being empathic is great, but sometimes I wish I couldn't feel everyone's Monday blues.
empathic
ADJECTIVE[/ˈempəθɪk/]
showing the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person
While the stranger walked past the crying child without looking, the girl showed an empathic response by sitting beside him and holding his hand.
EM (inside) + PATHY (feeling) — stepping into his friend's emotional storm, he showed an empathic understanding of his pain.
Beyond silent telepathy and polite sympathy, she gave her friend an empathic hug that shared her pain.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived from Greek 'empatheia', a compound of 'em-' (into) and 'pathos' (feeling, emotion, suffering). The term literally means 'entering into another's feelings' and was first used in English in the early 20th century to describe the psychological capacity to understand and share others' emotions.
Breakdown
em- (into) + path- (feeling, emotion, from Greek pathos) + -ic (adjective suffix indicating 'relating to' or 'characterized by').
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My empathic coworker always knows when I need chocolate... or a vacation.”
“The therapist's empathic approach helped the patient feel understood.”
“Being empathic is great, but sometimes I wish I couldn't feel everyone's Monday blues.”
“Good customer service requires empathic skills and genuine care.”
📚Related Words
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