Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » distinguish

distinguish

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of distinguish is to recognize differences, or to be identified as a characteristic of something, or to earn a position of status or high esteem.

(verb)

When you can tell the difference between white and yellow, this is an example of when you distinguish.
When a person is given the title Teacher of the Year, this is an example of when you honor or distinguish someone.

See distinguish in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to separate or mark off by differences; perceive or show the difference in; differentiate
to be an essential characteristic of; characterize
to perceive clearly; recognize plainly by any of the senses
to separate and classify
to make famous or eminent; give distinction to: to distinguish oneself in battle

Origin: < L distinguere, to separate, discriminate < dis-, apart + -stinguere, to prick < IE base *steig-, to prick, pierce (> stick, Ger sticken, to embroider, Gr stigma) + -ish, sense

intransitive verb

to make a distinction (between or among)

Related Forms:

distinguishable adjective
distinguishably adverb

See distinguish in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb dis·tin·guished, dis·tin·guish·ing, dis·tin·guish·es

verb, transitive

To perceive as being different or distinct.
To perceive distinctly; discern: distinguished the masts of ships on the horizon.
To make noticeable or different; set apart.
To cause (oneself) to be eminent or recognized: They have distinguished themselves as dedicated social workers.

verb, intransitive

To perceive or indicate differences; discriminate: distinguish between right and wrong.

Origin:

Origin: Alteration of obsolete distingue

Origin: , from Middle English distinguen

Origin: , from Old French distinguer

Origin: , from Latin distinguere, to separate; see steig- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: