Meaning & use
key feature
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Meanings
nouncountable
The most important or most noticeable part of something, especially a product, plan, or situation.
Grammar: Countable: say 'a key feature' or 'the key features'. Usually followed by 'of' to name the whole thing.
Patterns
- a key feature of something
- one of the key features of something
- the key features include something
Fast charging is a key feature of this phone.
One key feature of the plan is that it costs nothing for students.
The report lists the key features of the new system.
nouncountable
An important part of someone's face or appearance that people notice.
Grammar: Countable and often plural ('key features') when talking about a face.
Patterns
- someone's key features
His eyes are his key features, so the photo focuses on them.
The artist drew her key features first: the nose and the mouth.
Word forms
| plural | key features |
|---|
Common combinations
- a key feature of
- A key feature of the app is that it works offline.
- an important key feature
- Speed is an important key feature for most buyers.
- highlight a key feature
- The ad highlights a key feature: the long battery life.
- one of the key features
- One of the key features is the free delivery.
- identify the key features
- Please identify the key features of each design.
Synonyms and how they differ
- main feature
- Very close in meaning; 'main feature' often points to the biggest or central part, while 'key feature' stresses that it matters most.
- highlight
- A 'highlight' is the best or most exciting part; 'key feature' is more neutral and factual.
- characteristic
- A 'characteristic' is any typical quality of a thing, not necessarily an important one, so it is broader than 'key feature'.
Opposites
Word family
- feature noun
- Any noticeable part or quality of something.
- feature verb
- To include someone or something as an important part.
- featureless adjective
- Having no interesting or noticeable qualities.
Commonly confused: key feature or key point? key feature or main point?
key feature vs key point
A 'key point' is an important idea in a talk or text, while a 'key feature' is an important part of an object, product, or system.
key feature vs main point
'Main point' usually means the central idea of an argument; 'key feature' describes a property of a thing.
Practice
Fast charging is a key feature ___ this phone.
Choose one answer.
'A key feature of something' is the standard pattern for naming the whole thing that has the feature. 'For' would suggest a purpose or benefit, and 'in' or 'with' do not fit this fixed pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “key feature”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.