Junto Emotion Wheel
Emotion glossary
Definitions for the emotions on the Junto Emotion Wheel, organised by the six core families. Each page explains what the emotion is, how it feels, and the more specific feelings it branches into.
The six core emotions
The Junto Emotion Wheel organises 100+ named feelings into six core families. Start with the one closest to what you feel, then walk outward to the more specific word.
- Joy — well-being and uplift. Branches into peaceful, content, happy, cheerful, proud, optimistic, excited, euphoric.
- Love — warmth and connection toward someone or something. Branches into enchanted, romantic, affectionate, sentimental, grateful.
- Sadness — the response to loss and disappointment. Branches into hurt, unhappy, disappointed, shameful, lonely, gloomy.
- Fear — the response to threat and uncertainty. Branches into scared, terrified, insecure, nervous, horrified.
- Anger — the response to violation and injustice. Branches into enraged, exasperated, irritable, jealous, disgusted.
- Surprise — the response to the unexpected. Branches into stunned, confused, amazed, overcome, moved.
How to use this glossary
Each core-emotion page defines the family, describes how it feels in the body and mind, and lists its secondary and tertiary feelings — the more specific words that let you name your state precisely. Naming the specific feeling, rather than the broad family, is what the research on emotional granularity links to better regulation and self-awareness.
For the full picture, read what is an emotion wheel and how to use an emotion wheel.
Name what you feel
Open the Junto Emotion Wheel to move from the broad family to the specific feeling in about a minute.