1. verb To cause someone to feel sadness or unhappiness. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "hurt" and "feelings." Lou is very sensitive—you can't say the slightest critical word to him without hurting his feelings.

2. noun Feelings of sadness or unhappiness, as triggered by someone or something in particular. I don't want to cause any hurt feelings, so I'm not going to say anything negative about his performance in the play.