First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
distinguish
verb dis·tin·guish \di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish\
: to notice or recognize a difference between people or things
: to make (someone or something) different or special in some way
: to see or hear (someone or something) clearly
Full Definition of DISTINGUISH
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 give prominence or distinction to <distinguished themselves in music> d : characterize <recipes distinguished by simplicity>
3
a : discern <distinguished a light in the distance> b : to single out : take special notice of
intransitive verb
: to perceive a difference <distinguish between right and wrong>
— dis·tin·guish·abil·i·ty \-ˌstiŋ-(g)wi-shə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— dis·tin·guish·able \-ˈstiŋ-(g)wi-shə-bəl\ adjective
— dis·tin·guish·ably \-blē\ adverb
See distinguish defined for English-language learners
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Origin 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) — more at stick
Related to DISTINGUISH
- Synonyms
- difference, differentiate, discern, discriminate, secern, separate
DISTINGUISH Defined for Kids
distinguish
verb dis·tin·guish \di-ˈstiŋ-gwish\
dis·tin·guisheddis·tin·guish·ing
Definition of DISTINGUISH for Kids
1
: to recognize one thing from others by some mark or quality <He distinguished the sound of the piano in the orchestra.>
2
: to hear or see clearly <You can't distinguish her face in this photo.>
3
: to know the difference <Can you distinguish between right and wrong?>
4
: to set apart as different or special <She distinguished herself by heroic actions.>
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