What does feat mean?
A feat is an accomplishment that stands out because of the skill, strength, daring, or endurance required to achieve it. The word is most often used admiringly: climbing a mountain without oxygen, completing a marathon at eighty, or building a cathedral by hand are all feats. It appears frequently in journalism and everyday praise, especially in set expressions such as "no mean feat," which concedes that something was genuinely difficult to pull off. Feat derives from Latin facere, meaning "to do" or "to make," the same root that gives us "fact," so a feat is, quite literally, a thing done — but one done exceptionally well. Because the word always implies challenge and admiration rather than routine success, calling something a feat is itself a form of compliment. Its plural, feats, refers simply to multiple such achievements.
nounAn act or accomplishment that requires notable skill, strength, or courage; a remarkable achievement.
- An achievement or act requiring great skill, strength, or courage.
"Landing the damaged plane safely was a remarkable feat of airmanship."
"Scaling the north face in winter was an extraordinary feat."
"The bridge remains one of the great feats of Victorian engineering."
Standard regular plural; used when referring to multiple accomplishments.
"The explorer's feats were celebrated across Europe."
Every feat you accomplish shares its roots with the word "fact" — both come from the Latin facere, "to do." A feat is literally something done.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of feat
The noun feat entered English from Old French fait, deriving ultimately from the Latin factum, "a deed or act," the past participle of facere, "to do or make." It arrived in Middle English around the 14th century and has retained its sense of a noteworthy deed ever since. The same Latin root produced English words such as fact, factory, perfect, and defeat, making feat a close cousin of ordinary words for things made and done.
How feat is actually used
"Feat" carries an admiring, often slightly formal connotation and typically implies difficulty overcome. The fixed phrase "no mean feat" means "no small accomplishment."
Easily confused with feat
"Feet" is the plural of foot (or a unit of length), while "feat" means an impressive achievement.