Empathy
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person; the capacity to place oneself in someone else's emotional experience.
nounEmpathy
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person; the capacity to place oneself in someone else's emotional experience.
nounImagine This
Imagine a friend describing a job loss. As they speak, you picture their worry, feel their disappointment, and respond with words that reflect their emotions, not just the facts.
Sounds Like
EM-puh-thee
Looks Like
empath + y
Remember This
Empathy involves feeling with someone, whereas sympathy is feeling for someone from a distance. Empathy can be cognitive (understanding) or affective (sharing feelings).
Other Forms
Connect With
compassion, sympathy, understanding, perspective-taking, emotional intelligence
Note
Avoid confusing empathy with pity or over-identification. Use empathy to acknowledge and reflect others' feelings without becoming overwhelmed by their distress.