Objective vs. Feature: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 3, 2023
An "Objective" denotes a goal or aim, whereas a "Feature" refers to a distinctive characteristic or attribute of something. Objectives guide actions and decisions, while features describe aspects or components.
Key Differences
"Objective" signifies a targeted outcome, something one plans to achieve or accomplish. "Feature," in contrast, pertains to a notable quality or characteristic inherent to something, providing a specific function or detail that stands out.
In the realm of business planning or project management, an "Objective" serves as a guidepost, offering direction and focus toward a desired end. Conversely, when discussing a product or system, a "Feature" identifies a specific function, design, or quality it possesses.
An "Objective" is inherently linked with intentionality and future-oriented planning, often being time-bound and measurable. A "Feature," though, is descriptive and present, highlighting existing aspects, functionalities, or notable qualities of items or systems.
Examining language use, "Objective" often interfaces with discussions about targets, goals, and measurable outcomes within varied contexts like business, education, or personal development. In contrast, "Feature" commonly appears in descriptions of products, places, or services, outlining notable characteristics.
On a fundamental level, "Objective" and "Feature" are employed in distinctly different contexts, the former leaning into aspirations and forward planning, while the latter delves into descriptive and functional aspects of objects or systems, showcasing their intrinsic or designed qualities.
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Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
A goal or aim.
A distinctive characteristic.
Context of Use
Planning and target-setting.
Describing objects or systems.
Nature
Intentional and future-oriented.
Descriptive and present-oriented.
Grammatical Use
Often used as a noun.
Used as a noun, sometimes a verb.
Example Usage
Achieve a 10% sales increase.
Smartphone with a 108MP camera.
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Objective and Feature Definitions
Objective
A specific planned goal.
The company set a new objective for environmental sustainability.
Feature
A full-length film in cinema.
The festival presented features from various countries.
Objective
Lacking bias; impartial.
The judge was objective in her rulings.
Feature
Any of the distinct parts of the face, as the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Objective
Pertaining to a material object.
The artist focused on objective reality.
Feature
Often features The overall appearance of the face or its parts.
Objective
In grammar, relating to the object of a sentence.
An objective pronoun is used as the object of a verb.
Feature
A prominent or distinctive part, quality, or characteristic
A feature of one's personality.
A feature of the landscape.
Objective
Existing independent of or external to the mind; actual or real
Objective reality.
Feature
A property of linguistic units or forms
Nasality is a phonological feature.
Objective
Based on observable phenomena; empirical
Objective facts.
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.
Objective
Uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices
An objective critic.
Feature
The main film presentation at a theater.
Objective
A thing or group of things existing independent of the mind.
Feature
A long, narrative movie, typically lasting more than one hour.
Objective
The objective case.
Feature
A special attraction at an entertainment.
Objective
A noun or pronoun in the objective case.
Feature
A prominent or special article, story, or department in a newspaper or periodical.
Objective
The primary optical element, such as a lens or mirror, in a microscope, camera, telescope, or other optical instrument, that first receives light rays from the object and forms the image. Also called object glass, objective lens, object lens.
Feature
An item advertised or offered as particularly attractive or as an inducement
A washing machine with many features.
Objective
Of or relating to a material object, actual existence or reality.
Feature
Outward appearance; form or shape.
Objective
Not influenced by the emotions or prejudices.
Feature
Physical beauty.
Objective
Based on observed facts; without subjective assessment.
Feature
To give special attention to; display, publicize, or make prominent.
Objective
(grammar) Of, or relating to a noun or pronoun used as the object of a verb.
Feature
To have or include as a prominent part or characteristic
The play featured two well-known actors.
Objective
Of, or relating to verbal conjugation that indicates the object (patient) of an action. In linguistic descriptions of Tundra Nenets, among others.
Feature
To depict or outline the features of.
Objective
A material object that physically exists.
Feature
(Informal) To picture mentally; imagine
Can you feature her in that hat?.
Objective
A goal that is striven for.
Feature
(obsolete) One's structure or make-up: form, shape, bodily proportions.
Objective
(grammar) The objective case.
Feature
An important or main item.
Objective
(grammar) a noun or pronoun in the objective case.
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.
Objective
The lens or lenses of a camera, microscope, or other optical device closest to the object being examined.
Feature
(film) feature film
Objective
Of or pertaining to an object.
Feature
Any of the physical constituents of the face (eyes, nose, etc.).
Objective
Of or pertaining to an object; contained in, or having the nature or position of, an object; outward; external; extrinsic; - an epithet applied to whatever is exterior to the mind, or which is simply an object of thought or feeling, as opposed to being related to thoughts of feelings, and opposed to subjective.
In the Middle Ages, subject meant substance, and has this sense in Descartes and Spinoza: sometimes, also, in Reid. Subjective is used by William of Occam to denote that which exists independent of mind; objective, what is formed by the mind. This shows what is meant by realitas objectiva in Descartes. Kant and Fichte have inverted the meanings. Subject, with them, is the mind which knows; object, that which is known; subjective, the varying conditions of the knowing mind; objective, that which is in the constant nature of the thing known.
Objective has come to mean that which has independent existence or authority, apart from our experience or thought. Thus, moral law is said to have objective authority, that is, authority belonging to itself, and not drawn from anything in our nature.
Feature
(computing) A beneficial capability of a piece of software.
Objective
Unbiased; unprejudiced; fair; uninfluenced by personal feelings or personal interests; considering only the facts of a situation unrelated to the observer; - of judgments, opinions, evaluations, conclusions, reasoning processes.
Objective means that which belongs to, or proceeds from, the object known, and not from the subject knowing, and thus denotes what is real, in opposition to that which is ideal - what exists in nature, in contrast to what exists merely in the thought of the individual.
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
Objective
The objective case.
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.
Objective
The goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable);
The sole object of her trip was to see her children
Feature
(engineering) Characteristic forms or shapes of parts. For example, a hole, boss, slot, cut, chamfer, or fillet.
Objective
The lens or system of lenses nearest the object being viewed
Feature
An individual measurable property or characteristic of a phenomenon being observed; the input of a model.
Objective
Undistorted by emotion or personal bias; based on observable phenomena;
An objective appraisal
Objective evidence
Feature
(music) The act of being featured in a piece of music.
Objective
Serving as or indicating the object of a verb or of certain prepositions and used for certain other purposes;
Objective case
Accusative endings
Feature
(linguistics) The elements into which linguistic units can be broken down.
Objective
Emphasizing or expressing things as perceived without distortion of personal feelings or interpretation;
Objective art
Feature
(transitive) To ascribe the greatest importance to something within a certain context.
Objective
Belonging to immediate experience of actual things or events;
Concrete benefits
A concrete example
There is no objective evidence of anything of the kind
Feature
(transitive) To star, to contain.
Objective
A military term indicating a strategic position.
The squadron moved toward their objective.
Feature
(intransitive) To appear, to make an appearance.
Feature
To have features resembling.
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.
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.
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.
Feature
A form; a shape.
So scented the grim feature, and upturnedHis nostril wide into the murky air.
Feature
A prominent aspect of something;
The map showed roads and other features
Generosity is one of his best characteristics
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
Feature
The principal (full-length) film in a program at a movie theater;
The feature tonight is `Casablanca'
Feature
A special or prominent article in a newspaper or magazine;
They ran a feature on retirement planning
Feature
An article of merchandise that is displayed or advertised more than other articles
Feature
Have as a feature;
This restaurant features the most famous chefs in France
Feature
Wear or display in an ostentatious or proud manner;
She was sporting a new hat
Feature
A distinct attribute or aspect.
A key feature of the app is user-friendliness.
Feature
To present as a highlight.
The concert will feature a famous pianist.
Feature
A prominent part of one's appearance.
His striking features were his sharp eyes.
Feature
In journalism, a special article or report.
She wrote a feature on local fashion trends.
FAQs
Can "Objective" be used in different contexts?
Yes, "Objective" can be used in various contexts like business, education, and personal planning to denote a goal.
Is "Feature" used only to describe physical products?
No, "Feature" can describe aspects of both tangible items and intangible things like software or services.
What is the primary meaning of "Objective"?
"Objective" generally refers to a goal or a set aim that one intends to achieve.
How is "Feature" commonly utilized in a sentence?
"Feature" is often used to describe a distinctive characteristic or attribute of something.
Is an "Objective" always something quantifiable?
Ideally, objectives are quantifiable to gauge progress, but they can occasionally be qualitative.
How is "Objective" employed in a military context?
In the military, an "Objective" refers to a specific target or location that a mission aims to capture or achieve.
How do objectives relate to business planning?
Objectives in business provide clear goals, guiding strategies, and tactics to drive organizational efforts and measure success.
Can the term "Feature" apply to services?
Yes, "Feature" can describe particular aspects or offerings within a service, e.g., a feature of a subscription service.
Is there a difference between an objective and a target?
Subtly, an "Objective" is a broader goal, while a "Target" often refers to specific, quantified performance expectations.
What is a feature article?
A feature article is a detailed report or article that explores a topic or issue in-depth, often in magazines or newspapers.
Can an "Objective" refer to neutrality?
Yes, "Objective" can denote impartiality, describing an unbiased standpoint or observation.
Can "Feature" be used as a verb?
Yes, "Feature" as a verb means to highlight or present something prominently, e.g., a movie featuring a star actor.
Can an "Objective" be long-term?
Yes, an objective can be long-term (strategic) or short-term (tactical) depending on the timeline for achievement.
Can objectives be set for personal development?
Certainly, personal objectives might focus on developing skills, attaining knowledge, or achieving personal milestones.
Can “Feature” relate to a character in storytelling?
Yes, in storytelling, a character can be said to feature when they are highlighted or play a prominent role in a segment.
How is "Feature" used in film and television?
In this context, "Feature" can refer to a main film (feature film) or to highlight a particular actor, director, or aspect.
Is "Feature" utilized in software development?
Yes, "Feature" in software development refers to a distinct functionality or characteristic that a software product can perform or exhibit.
Can a person's looks be described using "Feature"?
Absolutely, you might describe someone's distinct facial attributes as their features.
How does a feature relate to technology products?
In tech, a "Feature" typically describes particular functionalities or attributes of a software product or electronic device.
How does an "Objective" correlate with performance management?
Objectives play a crucial role in setting, monitoring, and evaluating goals to manage and enhance performance in an organizational context.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
