Basic Details
Word: Empathy
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.
Synonyms: Compassion, understanding, sympathy
Antonyms: Indifference, apathy, insensitivity
Idioms and Phrases
- Walk a mile in someone else's shoes: To understand someone else's experiences and feelings. Example: "Before you judge her, try to walk a mile in her shoes and see what she has gone through."
- Put yourself in someone's shoes: To imagine oneself in another person's situation. Example: "It's easy to criticize, but you should put yourself in his shoes before making assumptions."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Empathy is important in friendships because it helps us to understand how our friends feel.
Example 2: The teacher showed empathy towards her students, listening carefully to their concerns and offering support.
Example 3: During the charity event, participants were encouraged to demonstrate empathy by helping those in need.
Fun Fact
The word "empathy" comes from the Greek word "empatheia," which means "passion" or "inner feeling." It originally referred to a feeling of compassion for others but has since evolved to mean the ability to understand and connect with how others feel.
Famous Quote
"Whenever you feel like criticising any one, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." F. Scott Fitzgerald
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "empathy" mean?
a) The ability to ignore someone
b) The ability to understand and share someone's feelings
c) The ability to argue with others
d) The ability to be indifferent
Answer: b) The ability to understand and share someone's feelings
2. Which of these is a synonym of "empathy"?
a) Indifference
b) Compassion
c) Anger
d) Dislike
Answer: b) Compassion
3. What is the antonym of "empathy"?
a) Indifference
b) Sympathy
c) Helpfulness
d) Kindness
Answer: a) Indifference
4. Which sentence uses "empathy" correctly?
a) She showed empathy by ignoring the problem.
b) He didn't care, demonstrating a lack of empathy.
c) Empathy helps to strengthen relationships between people.
d) Empathy is just a feeling that isnt important.
Answer: c) Empathy helps to strengthen relationships between people.
5. What does it mean to "walk a mile in someone else's shoes"?
a) To judge others quickly
b) To understand someone else's situation
c) To talk behind someone's back
d) To give advice without listening
Answer: b) To understand someone else's situation
