feat
1 Americannoun
-
a noteworthy or extraordinary act or achievement, usually displaying boldness, skill, etc..
Arranging the treaty was a diplomatic feat.
- Synonyms:
- accomplishment
-
Obsolete. a specialized skill; profession.
noun
Related Words
See achievement.
Etymology
Origin of feat1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English fet, fait, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin factum, noun use of neuter past participle of facere “to do, make”; see fact
Origin of feat2
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French fait “made (to fit),” from Latin factus “done, made,” past participle of facere “to do, make”
Explanation
A feat is an exemplary, even bold achievement, often an act of great courage or skill. Getting your cat to wear a leash was quite a feat. The noun feat developed from the Latin facere, meaning "make do." Today, it gets applied to a deed that's noble or out of the ordinary. Have you ever accomplished amazing feats in your dreams, like flying? If so, I hope you didn't wake up on the roof. Maybe you perform feats of daring in your everyday life, if you're a firefighter or a tightrope walker. If you're afraid of heights, just taking the glass elevator counts as a courageous feat!
Vocabulary lists containing feat
Unit 1: Telling Details
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"Why Exploring the Ocean Is Mankind's Next Giant Leap," Vocabulary from the commentary
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Scientists have documented an extraordinary feat of whale migration for the first time, confirming that humpback whales traveled between breeding grounds in eastern Australia and Brazil across more than 14,000 kilometers of open ocean.
From Science Daily • May 20, 2026
It’s an impressive design feat, potentially yielding better designs faster, while lowering costs.
From Barron's • May 19, 2026
Novak Djokovic, the inimitable 24-time Grand Slam champion, is the only other man to achieve the feat.
From BBC • May 17, 2026
It’s no small feat scraping up money for rent.
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026
But to get to Auntie Seema is no easy feat.
From "The Sky at Our Feet" by Nadia Hashimi
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.