distinguish

[dih-sting-gwish]

verb (used with object)

1. to mark off as different (often followed by from orby ).

   He was distinguished from the other boys by his height.

2. to recognize as distinct or different; recognize the salient or individual features or characteristics of.

   It is hard to distinguish her from her twin sister.

   Antonyms: confuse

3. to perceive clearly by sight or other sense; discern; recognize.

   He could not distinguish many of the words.

4. to set apart as different; be a distinctive characteristic of; characterize.

   It is his Italian accent that distinguishes him.

5. to make prominent, conspicuous, or eminent.

   to distinguish oneself in battle.

6. to divide into classes; classify.

   Let us distinguish the various types of metaphor.

7. Archaic.,  to single out for or honor with special attention.

verb (used without object)

1. to indicate or show a difference (usually followed bybetween ).

2. to recognize or note differences; discriminate.

distinguish

/ dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ /

verb

1. to make, show, or recognize a difference or differences (between or among); differentiate (between)

2. to be a distinctive feature of; characterize

3. to make out; perceive

4. to mark for a special honour or title

5. to make (oneself) noteworthy

   he distinguished himself by his cowardice

6. to classify; categorize

   we distinguished three species

Other Word Forms

• distinguishably adverb
• distinguishing adjective
• distinguishingly adverb
• distinguishable adjective
• distinguisher noun
• distinguishment noun
• interdistinguish verb (used with object)
• predistinguish verb (used with object)
• redistinguish verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of distinguish¹

First recorded in 1555–65; extension, by -ish ², of Middle English disting(u)en (from Anglo-French, Middle French distinguer ), from Latin distinguere; distinct

Word History and Origins

Origin of distinguish¹

C16: from Latin distinguere to separate, discriminate

Synonym Study

Distinguish, differentiate, discriminate suggest an attempt to analyze characteristic features or qualities of things. To distinguish is to recognize the characteristic features belonging to a thing: to distinguish a light cruiser from a heavy cruiser. To discriminate is to perceive the particular, nice, or exact differences between things, to determine wherein these differences consist, and to estimate their significance: to discriminate prejudiced from unprejudiced testimony. To differentiate is to point out exactly and in detail the differences between (usually) two things: The symptoms of both diseases are so similar that it is hard to differentiate one from another.

Example Sentences

Yet, Brexit is a major fault line that sharply distinguishes those who do and do not support Reform.

From BBC

In the end, what distinguishes “Mare of Easttown” from the typical murder mystery and other prestige shows – besides Winslet’s superior performance – is the way it swims with and through grief.

From Salon

Everything is a little fuzzy, making it hard to distinguish between the real and the imagined.

From Los Angeles Times

The ministry's numbers are widely considered reliable yet they do not distinguish between civilians and fighters.

From BBC

One of the key contentions of the industry is that the law does not distinguish between "games of skill" - which involve decision-making, talent and knowledge - and "games of chance", which rely purely on luck.

From BBC

Related Words

• analyze 
• categorize 
• characterize 
• determine 
• differentiate 
• discriminate 
• divide 
• figure out 
• identify 
• know 
• qualify 
• recognize 
• separate