distinguish

verb

dis·​tin·​guish di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish 

distinguished; distinguishing; distinguishes

transitive verb

1

: to perceive a difference in : mentally separate

so alike they could not be distinguished

2

a

: to mark as separate or different

a policy that distinguishes him from other candidates

b

: to separate into kinds, classes, or categories

distinguish words by their part of speech

c

: to make noteworthy or remarkable : to give prominence or distinction (see distinction sense 4) to

distinguished themselves as pioneers of hip-hop

d

: characterize

recipes distinguished by simplicity

3

a

: discern

distinguished a light in the distance

could barely distinguish them in the fog

b

: to single out : take special notice of

intransitive verb

: to perceive a difference

distinguish between right and wrong

distinguishability

di-ˌstiŋ-(g)wi-shə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

distinguishable

di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wi-shə-bəl 

adjective

distinguishably

di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wi-shə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• difference
• differentiate
• discern
• discriminate
• secern
• separate

Examples of distinguish in a Sentence

You're old enough to distinguish between fact and fantasy.

I have trouble distinguishing between the two of them.

I have trouble distinguishing the difference between the two of them.

You should be able to distinguish fact from fantasy.

The only thing that distinguishes the dogs is their bark.

The singer's voice is what distinguishes the band.

You can't distinguish the detail from this distance.

Recent Examples on the Web

So much about gift-giving now is as straightforward as clicking a button online, but several of these Chicago stores distinguish themselves by being independent experts in their field. —Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 11 Dec. 2024

An ability to distinguish between sentimentality and sentiment. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024

The two species can be distinguished in several ways, including the number of thinner, more flexible dorsal fins (soft rays) on the fish's back. —Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

Anti-tank land mines cannot tell the difference between an enemy tank and a civilian car that drives over them, just as smaller anti-personnel mines are unable to distinguish whether they are being triggered by an enemy soldier or a noncombatant. —John Ismay, New York Times, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English distinguen, from Anglo-French distinguer, from Latin distinguere, literally, to separate by pricking, from dis- + -stinguere (akin to Latin instigare to urge on) — more at stick

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing distinguish

• distinguish oneself

Kids Definition

distinguish

verb

dis·​tin·​guish dis-ˈtiŋ-(g)wish 

1

: to recognize one thing from others by some mark or quality

distinguish the bird calls

2

: to hear or see clearly : make out, discern

distinguish a light in the distance

3

: to know or point out the difference

distinguish between right and wrong

4

: to set apart as different or special

distinguished themselves by heroic actions

distinguishable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

distinguishably

-blē 

adverb

Legal Definition

distinguish

transitive verb

dis·​tin·​guish

: to identify or explain differences in or from

distinguished the cases on factual grounds