feat
/fiːt/ (bre, ipa) · /fiːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfēt/ (ame, mw)
feat — noun
- featsingular
- featsplural
1. Something you do that is very difficult and shows exceptional ability, physical
Something you do that is very difficult and shows exceptional ability, physical power, or bravery.
Kian's feat of endurance — running a marathon at age seventy — inspired the whole town.
collocation: feat of [quality]
The engineering team accomplished a remarkable feat by finishing the tunnel in just two years.
collocation: accomplish a remarkable feat
Earning a Michelin star in its first year was no small feat for the restaurant.
Rachid pulled off the feat of climbing six of the highest peaks in one season.
The rescue of the stranded climbers was a feat of courage the nation never forgot.
- achievement
neutral term; 'feat' emphasizes the difficulty more strongly
- accomplishment
slightly more formal; 'feat' adds a sense of daring or skill
- exploit
heroic or adventurous, often in military or sporting contexts
- triumph
focuses on the victory and success, often against obstacles
用法筆記
Often used in the fixed phrase 'no small feat' to stress how difficult something is. Frequently followed by 'of' + an abstract noun (strength, endurance, courage, engineering, bravery). The verbs 'accomplish', 'achieve', and 'pull off' are common collocates.
常見錯誤
feat — adjective
- featpositive
- featercomparative
- featestsuperlative
1. Describing someone's appearance or clothing as appropriate for the occasion and
Describing someone's appearance or clothing as appropriate for the occasion and neatly arranged.
The gentleman wore a feat suit that was pressed and proper for the dinner.
archaic: feat = suitable and neat in dress
In her grandmother's day, a feat appearance was considered necessary for polite society.
The housekeeper kept every room in feat order with cushions perfectly arranged.
His feat handwriting was admired by all the clerks who saw the ledgers.
用法筆記
This adjective sense of 'feat' is now archaic. You are very unlikely to encounter it in modern English except in historical novels or older texts. Use 'neat', 'suitable', or 'proper' instead.
2. Having or showing skillful, quick, and precise use of the hands or body.
Having or showing skillful, quick, and precise use of the hands or body.
The carpenter was known for his feat hands, which carved delicate flowers into wooden panels.
archaic: feat = dexterous, skilful with hands
The old tailor's feat fingers could stitch the finest details into a wedding gown.
The surgeon's feat hands moved with remarkable precision during the delicate operation.
No one could match the potter's feat touch when shaping clay on the wheel.
用法筆記
This adjective sense is archaic. 'Feat' in modern English is almost always a noun. Use 'dexterous', 'nimble', or 'skilful' in current writing.