Difference Wiki

Feature vs. Function: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 11, 2023
A feature is a distinctive attribute or aspect of something, while a function is the intended use or purpose of that thing.

Key Differences

"Feature" and "Function" are terms often used interchangeably, but they convey different concepts. A feature refers to a distinctive characteristic, quality, or component of an item or concept. It is often the distinguishing aspect that sets something apart. Conversely, a function describes the action, role, or activity that an item or concept is designed to perform. It’s what the item or concept does.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Consider a smartphone. It might have a dual-camera system. This dual-camera system is a feature of the smartphone. The function of this feature, however, is to take photos, including portraits with depth effects. Here, while the feature describes a property of the phone, the function describes a purpose or activity the feature fulfills.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
In software applications, the distinction remains. A graphic user interface (GUI) with buttons, sliders, and drop-down menus represents features of the software. The functions, however, could be tasks like saving a file, adjusting brightness, or selecting an item from a list. The feature is what you see, and the function is what it does.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Even in everyday conversations, these differences can be noted. A car might feature leather seats, but the function of those seats is to provide comfortable seating to the occupants. Features often become selling points for products, highlighting uniqueness or superiority, while functions address practicality and usability.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
In essence, while features define the "what" or the "how" something is, functions explain the "why" or the purpose behind it. Features often enhance appeal, while functions ensure utility and relevance.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
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Comparison Chart

Definition

A distinctive attribute or aspect.
The intended use or purpose.
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Oct 11, 2023

Context

Often used for marketing or differentiation.
Describes utility or practicality.
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Oct 11, 2023

Dependency

Can exist without a specific function.
Typically relies on a feature for execution.
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Oct 11, 2023

Example

Smartphone with a dual-camera system.
Taking photos with depth effects.
Janet White
Oct 11, 2023

Usage

More about appearance or presence.
More about action or performance.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
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Feature and Function Definitions

Feature

A distinctive characteristic or attribute.
The main feature of the mansion is its grand staircase.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 11, 2023

Function

An activity or purpose natural to or intended for something.
The primary function of the heart is to pump blood.
Harlon Moss
Oct 11, 2023

Feature

A special article in a newspaper or magazine.
She wrote a feature on sustainable fashion trends.
Janet White
Oct 11, 2023

Function

A large or formal social event or ceremony.
They hosted a function to celebrate their anniversary.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023

Feature

A film or broadcast about a particular topic.
The documentary is a feature on marine conservation.
Janet White
Oct 11, 2023
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Function

The action performed by a component.
The function of this button is to start the machine.
Sara Rehman
Oct 11, 2023

Feature

An important part or aspect of something.
The best feature of this software is its user-friendly interface.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023

Function

A computer operation corresponding to a single instruction.
The “print” function allows documents to be printed from the software.
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Feature

Any of the distinct parts of the face, as the eyes, nose, or mouth.
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Nov 26, 2022

Function

A person's role or occupation
In my function as chief editor.
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Feature

Often features The overall appearance of the face or its parts.
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Function

(Biology) The physiological activity of an organ or body part
The heart's function is to pump blood.
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Feature

A prominent or distinctive part, quality, or characteristic
A feature of one's personality.
A feature of the landscape.
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Function

(Computers) A procedure within an application.
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Feature

A property of linguistic units or forms
Nasality is a phonological feature.
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Nov 26, 2022

Function

An official ceremony or a formal social occasion
Disliked attending receptions and other company functions.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 26, 2022

Feature

In generative linguistics, any of various abstract entities that specify or combine to specify phonological, morphological, semantic, and syntactic properties of linguistic forms and that act as the targets of linguistic rules and operations.
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Nov 26, 2022

Function

Something closely related to another thing and dependent on it for its existence, value, or significance
Growth is a function of nutrition.
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Feature

The main film presentation at a theater.
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Function

A variable so related to another that for each value assumed by one there is a value determined for the other.
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Feature

A long, narrative movie, typically lasting more than one hour.
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Function

A rule of correspondence between two sets such that there is exactly one element in the second set assigned to each element in the first set. Also called mapping.
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Nov 26, 2022

Feature

A special attraction at an entertainment.
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Nov 26, 2022

Function

To have or perform a function; serve
Functioned as ambassador.
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Nov 26, 2022

Feature

A prominent or special article, story, or department in a newspaper or periodical.
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Nov 26, 2022

Function

To deal with or overcome the challenges of everyday life
For weeks after his friend's funeral he simply could not function.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 26, 2022

Feature

An item advertised or offered as particularly attractive or as an inducement
A washing machine with many features.
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Nov 26, 2022

Function

What something does or is used for.
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Feature

Outward appearance; form or shape.
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Nov 26, 2022

Function

A professional or official position.
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Feature

Physical beauty.
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Function

An official or social occasion.
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Feature

To give special attention to; display, publicize, or make prominent.
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Function

Something which is dependent on or stems from another thing; a result or concomitant.
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Nov 26, 2022

Feature

To have or include as a prominent part or characteristic
The play featured two well-known actors.
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Function

A relation where one thing is dependent on another for its existence, value, or significance.
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Feature

To depict or outline the features of.
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Function

(mathematics) A relation in which each element of the domain is associated with exactly one element of the codomain. Category:en:Functions
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Nov 26, 2022

Feature

(Informal) To picture mentally; imagine
Can you feature her in that hat?.
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Nov 26, 2022

Function

(computing) A routine that receives zero or more arguments and may return a result.
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Feature

(obsolete) One's structure or make-up: form, shape, bodily proportions.
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Function

(biology) The physiological activity of an organ or body part.
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Feature

An important or main item.
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Function

(chemistry) The characteristic behavior of a chemical compound.
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Feature

(media) A long, prominent article or item in the media, or the department that creates them; frequently used technically to distinguish content from news.
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Function

(anthropology) The role of a social practice in the continued existence of the group.
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Feature

(film) feature film
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Function

(intransitive) To have a function.
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Feature

Any of the physical constituents of the face (eyes, nose, etc.).
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Function

(intransitive) To carry out a function; to be in action.
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Nov 26, 2022

Feature

(computing) A beneficial capability of a piece of software.
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Nov 26, 2022

Function

The act of executing or performing any duty, office, or calling; performance.
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Nov 26, 2022

Feature

The cast or structure of anything, or of any part of a thing, as of a landscape, a picture, a treaty, or an essay; any marked peculiarity or characteristic.
One of the features of the landscape
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 26, 2022

Function

The appropriate action of any special organ or part of an animal or vegetable organism; as, the function of the heart or the limbs; the function of leaves, sap, roots, etc.; life is the sum of the functions of the various organs and parts of the body.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 26, 2022

Feature

(archaeology) Something discerned from physical evidence that helps define, identify, characterize, and interpret an archeological site.
A feature of many Central Texas prehistoric archeological sites is a low spreading pile of stones called a rock midden. Other features at these sites may include small hearths.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 26, 2022

Function

The natural or assigned action of any power or faculty, as of the soul, or of the intellect; the exertion of an energy of some determinate kind.
As the mind opens, and its functions spread.
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Nov 26, 2022

Feature

(engineering) Characteristic forms or shapes of parts. For example, a hole, boss, slot, cut, chamfer, or fillet.
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Nov 26, 2022

Function

The course of action which peculiarly pertains to any public officer in church or state; the activity appropriate to any business or profession.
Tradesmen . . . going about their functions.
The malady which made him incapable of performing hisregal functions.
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Feature

An individual measurable property or characteristic of a phenomenon being observed; the input of a model.
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Nov 26, 2022

Function

A quantity so connected with another quantity, that if any alteration be made in the latter there will be a consequent alteration in the former. Each quantity is said to be a function of the other. Thus, the circumference of a circle is a function of the diameter. If x be a symbol to which different numerical values can be assigned, such expressions as x2, 3x, Log. x, and Sin. x, are all functions of x.
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Nov 26, 2022

Feature

(music) The act of being featured in a piece of music.
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Function

A religious ceremony, esp. one particularly impressive and elaborate.
Every solemn function' performed with the requirements of the liturgy.
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Nov 26, 2022

Feature

(linguistics) The elements into which linguistic units can be broken down.
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Function

A public or social ceremony or gathering; a festivity or entertainment, esp. one somewhat formal.
This function, which is our chief social event.
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Feature

(transitive) To ascribe the greatest importance to something within a certain context.
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Function

To execute or perform a function; to transact one's regular or appointed business.
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Feature

(transitive) To star, to contain.
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Function

A mathematical relation such that each element of one set is associated with at least one element of another set
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Feature

(intransitive) To appear, to make an appearance.
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Function

What something is used for;
The function of an auger is to bore holes
Ballet is beautiful but what use is it?
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Nov 26, 2022

Feature

To have features resembling.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 26, 2022

Function

The actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group;
The function of a teacher
The government must do its part
Play its role
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 26, 2022

Feature

The make, form, or outward appearance of a person; the whole turn or style of the body; esp., good appearance.
What needeth it his feature to descrive?
Cheated of feature by dissembling nature.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 26, 2022

Function

A relation such that one thing is dependent on another;
Height is a function of age
Price is a function of supply and demand
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 26, 2022

Feature

The make, cast, or appearance of the human face, and especially of any single part of the face; a lineament. (pl.) The face, the countenance.
It is for homely features to keep home.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 26, 2022

Function

A formal or official social gathering or ceremony;
It was a black-tie function
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 26, 2022

Feature

The cast or structure of anything, or of any part of a thing, as of a landscape, a picture, a treaty, or an essay; any marked peculiarity or characteristic; as, one of the features of the landscape.
And to her service bind each living creatureThrough secret understanding of their feature.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 26, 2022

Function

A vaguely specified social event;
The party was quite an affair
An occasion arranged to honor the president
A seemingly endless round of social functions
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Nov 26, 2022

Feature

A form; a shape.
So scented the grim feature, and upturnedHis nostril wide into the murky air.
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Function

A set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program
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Feature

A prominent aspect of something;
The map showed roads and other features
Generosity is one of his best characteristics
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Function

Perform as expected when applied;
The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in
Does this old car still run well?
This old radio doesn't work anymore
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Nov 26, 2022

Feature

The characteristic parts of a person's face: eyes and nose and mouth and chin;
An expression of pleasure crossed his features
His lineaments were very regular
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Nov 26, 2022

Function

Serve a purpose, role, or function;
The tree stump serves as a table
The female students served as a control group
This table would serve very well
His freedom served him well
The table functions as a desk
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Nov 26, 2022

Feature

The principal (full-length) film in a program at a movie theater;
The feature tonight is `Casablanca'
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 26, 2022

Function

Perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function;
His wife officiated as his private secretary
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Feature

A special or prominent article in a newspaper or magazine;
They ran a feature on retirement planning
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 26, 2022

Function

A relation or expression involving variables.
In mathematics, a quadratic function can represent a parabola.
Janet White
Oct 11, 2023

Feature

An article of merchandise that is displayed or advertised more than other articles
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Nov 26, 2022

Feature

Have as a feature;
This restaurant features the most famous chefs in France
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Feature

Wear or display in an ostentatious or proud manner;
She was sporting a new hat
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Feature

The structure or form of a part of the face.
Her striking features garnered attention from many.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023

FAQs

Can features exist without a function?

Yes, some features can be purely ornamental or aesthetic without a direct function.
Janet White
Oct 11, 2023

Why are functions vital in software development?

Functions outline what a software or tool is meant to achieve, ensuring it meets user needs.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 11, 2023

How is a feature different from a function?

A feature is a distinctive aspect or attribute, while a function denotes its purpose or role.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023

What determines the function of a device?

The intended purpose or role it's designed for determines its function.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023

Can a product have multiple features but one function?

Yes, a product can have several features serving a single primary function.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023

Are features always tangible?

No, features can be intangible, like software features or aspects of a service.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 11, 2023

Why are features highlighted in advertising?

Features can differentiate products and showcase unique selling points.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023

Can one feature serve multiple functions?

Yes, versatile features can often serve various functions.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023

Is every feature associated with a function?

Not necessarily. Some features might be aesthetic and not have a specific utility.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023

Why is it essential to understand both features and functions when purchasing a product?

Understanding both ensures you know what the product offers and how it meets your needs.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma Saeed
Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.

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