distinct

UK: /dɪˈstɪŋkt/ US: /dɪˈstɪŋkt/ ,(di stingkt′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•tinct /dɪˈstɪŋkt/   adj. 

1. distinguished as not being the same;
   separate;
   dissimilar:
   The two books are clearly distinct and made for different audiences.
   [be + ~ + from]
   Her business life is distinct from her social life.
2. clear to the senses or the mind;
   plain;
   unmistakable:
   a distinct shape.
3. unquestionably exceptional or notable;
   great;
   important:
   [before a noun] a distinct honor.

dis•tinct•ly, adv.: 

Hanging out on a beach is distinctly more fun than working.

See -stin-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•tinct  (di stingkt′), adj. 

1. distinguished as not being the same;
   not identical;
   separate (sometimes fol. by from):
   His private and public lives are distinct.
2. different in nature or quality;
   dissimilar (sometimes fol. by from):
   Gold is distinct from iron.
3. clear to the senses or intellect;
   plain;
   unmistakable:
   The ship appeared as a distinct silhouette.
4. distinguishing or perceiving clearly:
   distinct vision.
5. unquestionably exceptional or notable:
   a distinct honor.
6. [Archaic.] distinctively decorated or adorned.

• Latin distinctus, past participle of disting(u)ere to divide off, pick out, distinguish (di- di-² + *sting(u)ere presumably, to prick, mark by pricking; compare instinct¹, instigate)
• Middle English 1350–1400

dis•tinct′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. individual. See various. 
• 3. well-defined, unconfused.

Antonyms

• 3, 4. indistinct.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

distinct / dɪˈstɪŋkt/ adjective

1. easily sensed or understood; clear; precise
2. (when postpositive, followed by from) not the same (as); separate (from); distinguished (from)
3. not alike; different
4. sharp; clear
5. recognizable; definite
6. explicit; unequivocal
7. (of parts of a plant) not joined together; separate

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin distinctus, from distinguere to distinguish

disˈtinctly adverb

disˈtinctness noun