distinguished

UK: /dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃt/ US: /dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃt/ ,(di sting′gwisht)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•tin•guished /dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃt/   adj. 

1. made well-known by excellence or success:
   a distinguished scientist in neurology.
2. having an air of distinction, nobility, or dignity:
   The men looked distinguished in their formal tuxedos.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•tin•guished  (di sting′gwisht), adj. 

1. made conspicuous by excellence;
   noted;
   eminent;
   famous:
   a distinguished scholar.
2. having an air of distinction, dignity, or eminence:
   a distinguished old gentleman.
3. conspicuous;
   marked.

• distinguish + -ed² 1600–10

dis•tin′guished•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. . renowned, illustrious. See famous. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

distinguished / dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/ adjective

1. noble or dignified in appearance or behaviour
2. eminent; famous; celebrated

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•tin•guish /dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃ/   v. 

1. to mark off as different;
   show a difference:
   [~ + object + from + object] His height distinguishes him from the other boys.
2. to recognize as distinct or different: [~ + between + object]
   I couldn't distinguish between some of the French vowels.
   [~ + object + from + object]
   Can you distinguish right from wrong?
3. to perceive or sense clearly by the senses;
   recognize:
   [~ + object] Without my glasses I can't distinguish certain signs on the road.
4. to set apart as different;
   characterize:
   [~ + object] Her Italian accent distinguishes her.
5. to make prominent or eminent:
   [~ + oneself] He distinguished himself in the arts.

dis•tin•guish•a•ble, adj. See -stin-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•tin•guish  (di sting′gwish), v.t. 

1. to mark off as different (often fol. by from or by):
   He was distinguished from the other boys by his height.
2. to recognize as distinct or different;
   recognize the salient or individual features or characteristics of:
   It is hard to distinguish her from her twin sister.
3. to perceive clearly by sight or other sense;
   discern;
   recognize:
   He could not distinguish many of the words.
4. to set apart as different;
   be a distinctive characteristic of;
   characterize:
   It is his Italian accent that distinguishes him.
5. to make prominent, conspicuous, or eminent:
   to distinguish oneself in battle.
6. to divide into classes;
   classify:
   Let us distinguish the various types of metaphor.
7. [Archaic.] to single out for or honor with special attention.

v.i. 

8. to indicate or show a difference (usually fol. by between).
9. to recognize or note differences;
   discriminate.

• Latin distinguere; see distinct
• Anglo-French, Middle French distinguer)
• extension, by -ish², of Middle English disting(u)en (1555–65

dis•tin′guish•a•ble, adj. 
dis•tin′guish•a•ble•ness, dis•tin′guish•a•bil′i•ty, n. 
dis•tin′guish•a•bly, adv. 
dis•tin′guish•er, n. 
dis•tin′guish•ment, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. Distinguish, differentiate, discriminate suggest an attempt to analyze characteristic features or qualities of things. To distinguish is to recognize the characteristic features belonging to a thing:
  to distinguish a light cruiser from a heavy cruiser.
  To discriminate is to perceive the particular, nice, or exact differences between things, to determine wherein these differences consist, and to estimate their significance:
  to discriminate prejudiced from unprejudiced testimony.
  To differentiate is to point out exactly and in detail the differences between (usually) two things:
  The symptoms of both diseases are so similar that it is hard to differentiate one from another.

Antonyms

• 2. confuse.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

distinguish / dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/ verb (mainly tr)

1. when intr, followed by between or among: to make, show, or recognize a difference or differences (between or among); differentiate (between)
2. to be a distinctive feature of; characterize
3. to make out; perceive
4. to mark for a special honour or title
5. to make (oneself) noteworthy
6. to classify; categorize

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin distinguere to separate, discriminate

disˈtinguishable adjective

disˈtinguishing adjective