Distinct — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /di-ˈstiŋ(k)t/ dis·tinct

Meaning & Definition of Distinct

Distinct (adjective)

  1. distinguishable to the eye or mind as being discrete or not the same, separate
  2. presenting a clear unmistakable impression
  3. notably decorated

Distinct (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being not of the same kind

    "two distinct approaches to the same problem"

    similar: different, disparate, dissimilar, distant, distinctive, distinguishable, diverse, nonidentical, other, unalike, unlike
    related: divers, miscellaneous, mixed, several, sundry, variant, varied, various, differentiable, discriminable, alternate, alternative, individual, particular, peculiar, single, disproportionate, divergent, unequal
    opposite: alike, identical, indistinguishable, kin, kindred, like, parallel, same, similar
    near: equal, selfsame, equivalent, tantamount, akin, analogous, comparable, homological, homologous, related, homogeneous, homogenous, uniform

  2. not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation

    "a person with a distinct Scottish accent"

    similar: apparent, bald, bald-faced, barefaced, bright-line, broad, clear, clear-cut, crystal clear, decided, evident, lucid, luculent, luminous, manifest, nonambiguous, obvious, open-and-shut, palpable, patent, pellucid, perspicuous, plain, ringing, straightforward, transparent, unambiguous, unambivalent, unequivocal, unmistakable
    related: cognizable, cognoscible, comprehendible, comprehensible, digestible, fathomable, graspable, intelligible, knowable, understandable, self-evident, self-explanatory, clean-cut, simple, tidy, uncomplicated, overt, undisguised, appreciable, perceptible, recognizable, sensible, tangible, discernible, noticeable, observable, visible, black-and-white, explicit, trenchant, well-defined, clean, decipherable, fair, legible, readable
    opposite: ambiguous, clouded, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, indistinct, mysterious, nonobvious, obfuscated, obscure, unapparent, unclarified, unclear
    near: incomprehensible, indecipherable, unfathomable, unintelligible, unknowable, impalpable, imperceptible, inappreciable, indiscernible, insensible, cloudy, gauzy, gray, hazy, imprecise, indefinite, indeterminate, misty, murky, nebulous, noncommittal, sketchy, slippery, subtle, vague, illegible, undecipherable, unreadable

  3. of a particular or exact sort

    "I left distinct instructions that my books were not to be touched"

    similar: concrete, especial, express, peculiar, precise, set, special, specific
    related: lone, only, separate, single, sole, solitary, distinctive, exclusive, individual, unique, limited, restricted, differentiated, specialized, given, specified
    opposite: nonspecific
    near: general, generalized, generic, nonexclusive, universal

  4. serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group

    "one of the distinct traits of a preliterate society"

    similar: characteristic, classic, diagnostic, discriminating, distinctive, distinguishing, identifying, individual, peculiar, proper, symptomatic, typical
    related: idiosyncratic, identifiable, pronounced, unmistakable, general, generic, common, normal, regular, usual, especial, particular, special, specific, archetypal, model, paradigmatic
    opposite: atypical, nontypical, uncharacteristic, untypical

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Distinct

The most common words with a similar meaning to Distinct:

different, disparate, dissimilar, distant, distinctive, distinguishable, diverse, nonidentical, other, unalike, unlike, apparent, bald, bald-faced, barefaced, bright-line, broad, clear, clear-cut, crystal clear, decided, evident, lucid, luculent, luminous, manifest, nonambiguous, obvious, open-and-shut, palpable, patent, pellucid, perspicuous, plain, ringing, straightforward, transparent, unambiguous, unambivalent, unequivocal

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Distinct

Words with the opposite meaning of Distinct:

alike, identical, indistinguishable, kin, kindred, like, parallel, same, similar, ambiguous, clouded, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, equivocal, indistinct, mysterious, nonobvious, obfuscated, obscure, unapparent, unclarified, unclear, nonspecific, atypical, nontypical, uncharacteristic, untypical

Related Words for Distinct

divers, miscellaneous, mixed, several, sundry, variant, varied, various, differentiable, discriminable, alternate, alternative, particular, single, disproportionate, divergent, unequal, cognizable, cognoscible, comprehendible, comprehensible, digestible, fathomable, graspable, intelligible, knowable, understandable, self-evident, self-explanatory, clean-cut

Near Antonyms of Distinct

equal, selfsame, equivalent, tantamount, akin, analogous, comparable, homological, homologous, related, homogeneous, homogenous, uniform, incomprehensible, indecipherable, unfathomable, unintelligible, unknowable, impalpable, imperceptible, inappreciable, indiscernible, insensible, cloudy, gauzy, gray, hazy, imprecise, indefinite, indeterminate

Word Forms of Distinct

Derived words: distinctly (adverb), distinctness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Distinct

Middle English, from Latin distinctus, from past participle of distinguere see distinguish

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Distinct

Words & Phrases Containing Distinct

as distinct from

Frequently Asked Questions about Distinct

What does "Distinct" mean?

"Distinct" means distinguishable to the eye or mind as being discrete or not the same, separate. As an adjective, it is defined as: distinguishable to the eye or mind as being discrete or not the same, separate. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Distinct"?

Other words for "Distinct" include different, disparate, dissimilar, distant, distinctive, distinguishable, diverse and nonidentical. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Distinct" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Distinct"?

There are 137 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Distinct". Common alternatives include different, disparate, dissimilar, distant, distinctive, distinguishable, diverse, nonidentical, other and unalike.

What is the opposite of "Distinct"?

Antonyms of "Distinct" include alike, identical, indistinguishable, kin, kindred, like, parallel and same. Near antonyms include equal, selfsame, equivalent and tantamount.

How do you use "Distinct" in a sentence?

Examples of "Distinct" in a sentence: "two distinct approaches to the same problem"; "a person with a distinct Scottish accent"; "I left distinct instructions that my books were not to be touched".

Is "Distinct" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Distinct" is an adjective.

Is "Distinct" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Distinct" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Distinct"?

"Distinct" is pronounced /di-ˈstiŋ(k)t/ and divided into syllables as dis·tinct.