Characteristic
Characteristic noun - Something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind.
Usage example: the ability to fashion tools and other characteristics that distinguish human beings from other animals
Feature is a synonym for characteristic in attribute topic. In some cases you can use "Feature" instead a noun "Characteristic", when it comes to topics like peculiarity, property, role, argument. popular alternative
Feature
Feature noun - Something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind.
Usage example: perhaps the most striking feature of that house is the way it was constructed to fit into its hillside site
Characteristic is a synonym for feature in attribute topic. You can use "Characteristic" instead a noun "Feature", if it concerns topics such as peculiarity, property, role, argument. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- quality and characteristic
- quality and feature
- attribute and characteristic
- attribute and feature
- character and characteristic
- character and feature
- mark and characteristic
- mark and feature
- peculiarity and characteristic
- peculiarity and feature
- property and characteristic
- property and feature
- quirk and characteristic
- quirk and feature
How words are described
| physical | physical characteristic | physical feature |
| notable | notable characteristic | notable feature |
| special | special characteristic | special feature |
| distinctive | distinctive characteristic | distinctive feature |
| Other adjectives: particular, similar, common, natural, distinguishing, staple, single, prominent, obvious, distinct, main, important, key, unique, permanent, major, unusual, primary, recurring, redeeming, defining, facial. | ||
Both words in one sentence
- Pronouncing "water" as "wooder" is also common and considered by many to be the defining characteristic of a Philly accent (this feature also spills into Maryland and parts of New Jersey and Delaware).
Source: Useful Notes / American Accents -
Dvorak's salient feature, the characteristic that makes him beloved today, was his magical talent for creating very many very beautiful melodies.
Source: Music / Antonin Dvorak -
Fictional examples can apply to pretty much any animal as long as it's not a natural feature of their species; or in the case of dogs, a default characteristic of the breed.
Source: Animal Facial Hair
Cite this Source
Feature and Characteristic. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/characteristic/feature
Characteristic & Feature. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/characteristic/feature>.
Feature or Characteristic. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/characteristic/feature.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "characteristic" and "feature" have occurred on timeline