Learn English – A word for the feeling of falling

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What is the word used to describe that feeling you occasionally get while falling?

If you don't know the feeling, it feels like the midsection of your gut is becoming numb and is trying to escape out of the top of your ribcage.

Update: Unfortunately a single word for this feeling doesn't seem to exist. If this word doesn't exist, is there a short phrase used to describe this feeling?

Answer: There is no specific term for this. The closest phrase is in fact 'feeling of falling'. The answer which selected as correct and did state that there is not specific term for the feeling.

Best Answer

The sensation you describe occurs when you're in free fall, as described on HowStuffWorks:

But in the "free-fall" state, there is hardly any net force acting on you. In this case, the various pieces of your body are not pushing on each other as much. They are all, essentially, weightless, each falling individually inside your body. This is what gives you that unique sinking feeling in your stomach.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a specific term for it. (Unless there's a really technical medical term that involves your vestibular system somehow.)

On the other hand, that falling sensation (and accompanying twitch) you sometimes get when you're falling asleep? That's a hypnagogic myoclonic twitch.

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