Distinguish — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish/ dis·tin·guish

Meaning & Definition of Distinguish

Distinguish (verb)

  1. to perceive a difference in, mentally separate
  2. to mark as separate or different
  3. to separate into kinds, classes, or categories

Distinguish (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to understand or point out the difference in

    "even at such a young age, he could distinguish the calls of various birds"

    similar: difference, differentiate, discern, discriminate, secern, separate
    related: contradistinguish, comprehend, grasp, know, understand, divide, part, sever, demarcate, mark (off), set off
    opposite: confuse, mistake, mix (up)
    near: confound, lump (together), mingle

  2. to be an important feature of

    "a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity"

    similar: characterize, mark
    related: differentiate, customize, individualize, particularize

  3. to find out or establish the identity of

    "learned at an early age to distinguish the sound of a piano in an orchestra"

    similar: finger, ID, identify, pinpoint, single (out), put one's finger on
    related: diagnose, determine, find, locate, pick out, place, recognize, spot, check, examine, inspect, investigate, notice, observe, scrutinize, betray, disclose, discover, reveal
    near: camouflage, conceal, disguise, hide, counterfeit, feign, sham, simulate

  4. to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes

    "could barely distinguish the garden gate through the mist"

    similar: behold, catch, descry, discern, espy, eye, look (at), note, notice, observe, perceive, regard, remark, see, sight, spot, spy, view, witness, get a load of (slang), lay eyes on, set eyes on
    related: identify, make out, pick out, pick up, attend (to), consider, heed, mark, mind, study, watch, examine, inspect, scan, scrutinize, survey, glance (at), glimpse, peer (at)
    near: disregard, ignore, neglect, overpass, pass over, miss, overlook

  5. to arrange or assign according to type

    "on the exam we were asked to distinguish the specimens by acidity"

    similar: assort, break down, categorize, class, classify, codify, compartment, compartmentalize, digest, distribute, grade, group, peg, place, range, rank, relegate, separate, sort, type
    related: array, dispose, draw up, marshal, order, organize, systematize, alphabetize, catalog, file, index, list, refer, pigeonhole, shelve, identify, recognize, cull, screen, set, sieve, sift, winnow, clump, cluster, colligate, recategorize, reclassify, regroup, subcategorize
    near: confuse, disarrange, jumble, lump, mix (up), scramble, misclassify, missort, mistype

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Distinguish

The most common words with a similar meaning to Distinguish:

Slang: get a load of
difference, differentiate, discern, discriminate, secern, separate, characterize, mark, finger, ID, identify, pinpoint, single (out), behold, catch, descry, espy, eye, look (at), note, notice, observe, perceive, regard, remark, see, sight, spot, spy, view, witness, assort, break down, categorize, class, classify, codify, compartment, compartmentalize, digest

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Distinguish

Words with the opposite meaning of Distinguish:

confuse, mistake, mix (up)

Related Words for Distinguish

contradistinguish, comprehend, grasp, know, understand, divide, part, sever, demarcate, mark (off), set off, customize, individualize, particularize, diagnose, determine, find, locate, pick out, recognize, check, examine, inspect, investigate, scrutinize, betray, disclose, discover, reveal, make out

Near Antonyms of Distinguish

confound, lump (together), mingle, camouflage, conceal, disguise, hide, counterfeit, feign, sham, simulate, disregard, ignore, neglect, overpass, pass over, miss, overlook, disarrange, jumble, lump, scramble, misclassify, missort, mistype

Word Forms of Distinguish

Inflections: distinguished, distinguishing, distinguishes

Derived words: distinguishability (noun), distinguishable (adjective), distinguishably (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Distinguish

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) stick

First known use: 15th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Distinguish

Words & Phrases Containing Distinguish

distinguish oneself

Frequently Asked Questions about Distinguish

What does "Distinguish" mean?

"Distinguish" means to perceive a difference in, mentally separate. As a verb, it is defined as: to perceive a difference in, mentally separate. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Distinguish"?

Other words for "Distinguish" include difference, differentiate, discern, discriminate, secern, separate, characterize and mark. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Distinguish" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Distinguish"?

There are 124 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Distinguish". Common alternatives include difference, differentiate, discern, discriminate, secern, separate, characterize, mark, finger and ID.

What is the opposite of "Distinguish"?

Antonyms of "Distinguish" include confuse, mistake and mix (up). Near antonyms include confound, lump (together), mingle and camouflage.

How do you use "Distinguish" in a sentence?

Examples of "Distinguish" in a sentence: "even at such a young age, he could distinguish the calls of various birds"; "a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity"; "learned at an early age to distinguish the sound of a piano in an orchestra".

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

"Distinguish" is a verb.

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

As a B2-level word, "Distinguish" 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 "Distinguish"?

"Distinguish" is pronounced /di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish/ and divided into syllables as dis·tin·guish.