distinction Hear it!

distinction Definition

dis·tinc·tion (di stiŋk′s̸hən)

noun

  1. the act of making or keeping distinct; differentiation between or among things
  2. the condition of being different; difference
  3. that which makes or keeps distinct; quality, mark, or feature that differentiates
  4. the state of getting special recognition or honor; fame; eminence a singer of distinction
  5. the quality that makes one seem superior or worthy of special recognition to serve with distinction
  6. a mark or sign of special recognition or honor

Etymology: ME distinccioun < OFr distinction < L distinctio < pp. of distinguere: see distinguish

distinction Synonyms

distinction

n.

  1. The act or quality of noticing differences

    differentiation, separation, discrimination, discretion, sharpness, discreteness, discernment, perception, sensitivity, penetration, acuteness, analysis, clearness, judgment, refinement, estimation, nicety, tact, diagnosis, marking out, demarcation; see also acumen, definition 2.

    Antonyms dullness*, indifference*, obtuseness.

  2. A difference used for distinction, sense 1

    distinctive feature, particular, qualification, contrast; see characteristic, detail 1, difference 2.

  3. A mark of personal achievement

    eminence, repute, renown, prominence; see fame 1.

  4. Excellence

    superiority, note, flair, style; see perfection 3.

distinction Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • blur: Debt is seen as normal - credit cards, for example, have blurred the distinction between borrowing and spending.
  • draw: The HSE's guidance does not fully explain the distinction drawn by these examples.
  • clarify: The use of current and constant prices helps us to clarify this distinction.
  • attain: He was appointed to the command of a vessel in the East India service, and attained distinction as a naval geographer.
  • make: Make a clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay.
  • achieve: Distinction To achieve a distinction, you must produce a good set of html information pages.

Preposition: between

  • type: It seems plausible that there is a distinction between two different types of thinking ( Bermúdez 2003 ).
  • kind: I will start with a distinction between two kinds of utopias.
  • terrorism: There is no distinction between terrorism and state terror.

Adjective modifier

  • dubious: Canada now has the dubious distinction of having the second highest crime rate in the Western world.
  • sharp: There is no allowance for any sharp distinction between the two.
  • clear: Make a clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay.
  • subtle: There is a comprehensive analysis of the visual presentation of information - with subtle distinctions noted between pie charts and bar charts.
  • artificial: The reference to an ' artificial geographical distinction ' is also significant.
  • crucial: Now here again is a crucial distinction The current notion is that humanity is sick.

Noun used with modifier

  • say-show: I evaluate three available readings of the say-show distinction which fail to meet this challenge.
  • gender: Whatever racial, class, or gender distinctions might have been operative beforehand now count for nothing.
  • class: Coupland: You guys, being British, know more about class distinctions than I do.

Preposition: of

rank: In Britain there is still to this day an aristocracy enjoying distinctions of rank.

Preposition: for

excellence: The examiners may award a distinction for excellence in the whole examination.