featuring
featuring — verb
- featuringpresent simple I / you / we / they
- featurings3rd person singular
- featuringing-ing form
- featuringedpast simple
1. to have someone or something as a main attraction, performer, or significant par
to have someone or something as a main attraction, performer, or significant part of an event, show, publication, or other presentation
The art gallery is featuring a new exhibition of photographs from West Africa.
passive or active: feature + [event/product] + [content]
This month's magazine features an interview with Dr. Okonkwo about climate change.
The concert featuring Rafael and his band sold out within hours.
present participle: 'featuring [performer]' as descriptive modifier
Priya's short stories were featured in a popular literary journal last spring.
The restaurant's menu features fresh seafood caught by local fishermen.
feature + direct object describing offerings
- featuring [performer/artist]
- be featured in [publication/event]
- feature prominently
- omit
to leave out entirely
Grammar Patterns
feature + noun phrase
be featured in + noun phrase
featuring + noun phrase (as modifier)
Usage Note
Commonly used in promotional or descriptive contexts. The present-participle form 'featuring' frequently appears as a modifier introducing a performer or element — e.g. 'a dinner featuring local wines'. Distinguish from sense 2, which describes built-in characteristics rather than curated content.
Common Mistakes
2. to have something as a built-in part or noticeable quality — used especially for
to have something as a built-in part or noticeable quality — used especially for products, machines, buildings, or systems that include a particular function, design, or convenience
The new smartphone features a camera that works well in low light.
feature + noun phrase [product attribute]
This apartment features a large balcony with beautiful city views.
The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center.
feature + amenities in descriptions
Chen's latest software features a voice-recognition tool for blind users.
feature + direct object [specific function]
Each room features a flat-screen television and free wireless internet.
- feature [technology/design]
- feature [amenity/service]
- proudly feature
- lack
to be without a particular quality or part
Grammar Patterns
feature + noun phrase [product attribute]
Usage Note
Unlike sense 1, this sense does not describe performances or media content. The subject is typically a product, building, or system, and the object is a functional attribute or design element — never a person.
Common Mistakes
featuring — noun
1. a noticeable quality, function, or characteristic of something that is not prima
a noticeable quality, function, or characteristic of something that is not primarily physical — for example, a useful capability of a phone or a distinctive aspect of a service or system
The best feature of Mei-Lin's new job is the flexible working hours.
collocation: best feature / key feature
One useful feature of Deepa's travel app is that it works even in areas with no phone signal.
The car's safety features include airbags and automatic braking.
collocation: safety feature
Javier chose the insurance plan because of its key features such as roadside assistance.
collocation: key features
Tomoki's photo-editing software has special features for beginners who have never used a design tool.
feature + designed for [audience/purpose]
- main feature
- key feature
- safety feature
- special feature
- unique feature
- characteristic
more formal; suggests an inherent, defining quality
- attribute
slightly more abstract; often used in technical contexts
- aspect
focuses on one side or angle of something, not necessarily a distinguishing part
- defect
an undesirable quality, the opposite of a selling point
Grammar Patterns
feature + of + noun phrase
adjective + feature
Usage Note
This sense focuses on abstract or functional qualities — capabilities of products, characteristics of systems, or distinctive aspects of services. For physical parts of buildings, landscapes, or natural environments, use noun/2 (PHYSICAL PART OF PLACE). Product descriptions (sense 2 of the verb) are often paraphrased using this noun: 'The phone features a long battery life' → 'A long battery life is a feature of the phone.'
Common Mistakes
2. a noticeable part of a building, area of land, or natural environment that has a
a noticeable part of a building, area of land, or natural environment that has a particular shape, purpose, or character
A large pond is the central feature of the botanical garden.
collocation: central feature / natural feature
The most striking feature of the cathedral is its tall bell tower.
Wooden beams are a traditional feature of houses in this village.
collocation: architectural feature
The coastline has several rock features shaped by wind and rain.
Umar's new kitchen includes a marble island counter that serves as both a design feature and a breakfast bar.
collocation: design feature
- natural feature
- architectural feature
- central feature
- design feature
- distinctive feature
Grammar Patterns
natural feature
architectural feature
distinctive feature
Usage Note
Often collocates with adjectives describing visual prominence: 'striking', 'central', 'distinctive'. For geographical contexts, 'natural feature' refers to mountains, rivers, valleys, and rock formations.
3. one of the individual parts of a person's face, such as the eyes, nose, mouth, o
one of the individual parts of a person's face, such as the eyes, nose, mouth, or chin; in plural form, the overall appearance of someone's face
Noa has delicate features and long dark hair.
plural: 'features' for overall facial appearance
His most noticeable feature is a pair of bright green eyes.
collocation: noticeable feature / striking feature
The artist carefully drew each feature of the woman's face.
collocation: feature of the face
Chandra's sharp features softened the moment she spotted her younger brother at the airport gate.
features as expression of emotion
A scar above his left eyebrow from a childhood accident was Diego's only uneven feature.
- facial features
- delicate features
- strong features
- sharp features
- facial characteristic
more formal and clinical
- lineament
very formal and literary; rare in everyday English
Grammar Patterns
[possessive] + features
[adjective] + features
Usage Note
When referring to the whole face, 'features' (plural) is more common than the singular. Describing a single part, use 'a feature' or 'one of her features'. Adjectives often used: 'delicate', 'strong', 'sharp', 'soft', 'regular'.
Common Mistakes
4. a special or prominent article in a newspaper, magazine, or online publication,
a special or prominent article in a newspaper, magazine, or online publication, or a segment of a television or radio broadcast, that examines a particular subject in depth
The newspaper ran a lengthy feature on the history of the local market.
collocation: feature on [topic]
Tomorrow's program includes a feature about traditional pottery in Taiwan.
A travel feature in the magazine described hiking routes in New Zealand.
collocation: travel feature
Fatoumata writes a weekly feature about African cinema for the blog.
The television channel aired a forty-minute feature on the rescue workers.
special feature + on [subject]
- feature article
- feature on/about
- special feature
- travel feature
- cover feature
Grammar Patterns
feature + on/about + [topic]
special feature
feature article
Usage Note
A 'feature' differs from a regular news article: it is longer, more detailed, and often includes background, analysis, or human-interest angles. In broadcasting, 'feature' can also mean a segment within a larger programme.
5. a full-length film, usually ninety minutes or longer, that is the main attractio
a full-length film, usually ninety minutes or longer, that is the main attraction in a movie theater or on a streaming service
The film festival opened with a new feature directed by a first-time filmmaker.
feature as short for 'feature film'
The Grand Cinema downtown usually screens four features every day, from morning until late evening.
Hana's documentary about coral reefs was so popular at the film festival that a distributor released it as a feature.
Liam watched a science-fiction feature about robots exploring Mars.
feature + [genre] as modifier
A Seoul studio plans to turn Kaito's short film into a full feature next year.
collocation: full feature
- feature film
- main feature
- double feature
- full feature
- feature presentation
- short film
a film shorter than feature length, typically under 40 minutes
Grammar Patterns
feature + noun [feature film]
main feature
double feature
Usage Note
In cinema contexts, 'feature' alone implies a feature-length fiction film. To be explicit, use 'feature film' (as opposed to 'short film' or 'documentary'). 'Double feature' refers to two films shown back-to-back for one ticket price.
6. a product, service, or menu item that is displayed or advertised as especially a
a product, service, or menu item that is displayed or advertised as especially attractive, often at a reduced price or for a limited time
This week's special feature is a three-course dinner for two people.
collocation: special feature [promotion]
The electronics store advertised summer features including a discounted soundbar and a smart thermostat.
features as promotional items
At the Thai place on Elm Street, each lunch feature comes with free iced tea.
Carlos bought the gaming laptop because it was the feature of the month at TechZone.
collocation: feature of the month
At the diner, Patricia picked the chocolate cake feature and asked for extra ice cream.
- special feature
- feature of the month
- feature of the week
- special offer
emphasises the pricing element more clearly
- promotion
broader; includes discounts, bundles, and campaigns
- deal
informal; focuses on value for money
Grammar Patterns
special feature
feature of the month/week
Usage Note
Common in retail and restaurant settings. 'Feature of the month' or 'special feature' signals a temporary promotion. This sense is less frequent than the others; 'promotion' or 'special offer' are more common alternatives.
Word family
- featurenounB1
- featureverbB1
- featuredadjectiveB2
- featurelessadjectiveC1
- feature-lengthadjectiveC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All five verbs describe bringing something into view, but they differ in emphasis. 'Feature' implies that the item is the main attraction or a specially selected element — a film features its lead actors, and a menu features its chef's signature dish. 'Include' is the most neutral; it simply means something is part of a group or collection without suggesting prominence. 'Present' focuses on the act of showing or offering, often in a formal setting (a museum presents an exhibition). 'Showcase' suggests displaying something to its best advantage, with strong admiration implied (a fashion week showcases new designs). 'Highlight' draws selective attention to one element among many (a report highlights key findings). In practice: 'The conference featured three Nobel laureates as speakers' emphasizes their star status, while 'The conference included three Nobel laureates' merely lists them among other attendees.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word comes from Old French 'faiture', meaning 'form' or 'shape', which in turn comes from Latin 'factura' ('a making' or 'a working'), derived from 'facere' ('to make, to do'). Originally used in English for the physical shape or form of a person, it gradually broadened to include any distinctive part (facial features), then any notable characteristic (the features of a landscape), and finally to the verb sense of giving prominence to something (featuring a performer). The cinema sense of 'feature film' arose in the early 1900s to distinguish the main, full-length attraction from shorter films.