English Reference

Word

feature

Phoneticsfea·ture, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈfitʃɝ/

UK/fˈiːtʃɐ/

Definitions

01a characteristic

A2 · Elementary Countable noun General-service

n. a typical or important part of something.

n. a distinctive attribute or aspect of something that defines its character.

“The most interesting feature of the house is the large garden.”

“The most striking feature of the new legislative proposal is its focus on environmental sustainability over short-term economic gain.”

02parts of the face

B1 · Intermediate Plural noun

n. the parts of your face, such as your eyes, nose, and mouth.

n. any of the distinct physical parts of the human face.

“Her best feature is her bright green eyes.”

“The artist spent hours perfecting the subject's facial features, paying particular attention to the subtle lines around the mouth.”

Synonyms

03software function

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Computing

n. a specific thing that a computer program or app can do.

n. a specific capability or functional requirement of a software application.

“The latest update includes a new feature for editing photos.”

“The development team prioritised the security features of the application to ensure user data remained encrypted during transit.”

04media article or film

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Theater

n. a special story in a newspaper or a full-length movie.

n. a prominent or specialized article in a periodical, or a full-length motion picture.

“The Sunday paper has a special feature on healthy cooking.”

“The magazine's cover feature provided an in-depth analysis of the geopolitical shifts occurring in Southeast Asia.”

05archaeological find

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Archaeology Technical

n. something found at an old site that cannot be moved, like a wall or a pit.

n. a non-portable element of an archaeological site, such as a hearth, posthole, or wall.

“The team discovered a stone feature that looked like an ancient fireplace.”

“Excavations revealed a complex drainage feature, suggesting the settlement had a sophisticated understanding of water management.”

Synonyms

06to include or star

B1 · Intermediate

v. to include someone or something as an important part.

v. to give prominence to or include as a main attraction.

“The new movie will feature several famous actors.”

“The festival will feature a diverse range of international performers, highlighting the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean region.”

Antonyms

07to appear in

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to be a part of something.

v. to have a place or role in a particular situation or event.

“Olive oil features heavily in most Mediterranean recipes.”

“Economic concerns are likely to feature prominently in the upcoming election debates.”

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “feature” in context.

01. feature called 02. features associated 03. features materials 04. central feature 05. contain feature 06. core feature 07. display feature 08. dominant feature 09. examine feature 10. following feature 11. general feature 12. highlight feature

Etymology

From Middle English feture, from Anglo-Norman feture, from Old French faiture, from Latin factūra, from Latin factus, from Latin faciō (“do, make”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- (“to do, put, place, set”). Doublet of facture.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms

Domains

ArchaeologyComputingEngineeringFilmLinguisticsMusicStatistics

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Very common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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English Reference