distinguish

verb

dis·​tin·​guish di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wish 

distinguished; distinguishing; distinguishes

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 make noteworthy or remarkable : to give prominence or distinction (see distinction sense 4) to

distinguished themselves as pioneers of hip-hop

d

: characterize

recipes distinguished by simplicity

3

a

: discern

distinguished a light in the distance

could barely distinguish them in the fog

b

: to single out : take special notice of

intransitive verb

: to perceive a difference

distinguish between right and wrong

distinguishability

di-ˌstiŋ-(g)wi-shə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

distinguishable

di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wi-shə-bəl 

adjective

distinguishably

di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wi-shə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of distinguish

• differentiate
• discern

Examples of distinguish in a Sentence

You're old enough to distinguish between fact and fantasy.

I have trouble distinguishing between the two of them.

I have trouble distinguishing the difference between the two of them.

You should be able to distinguish fact from fantasy.

The only thing that distinguishes the dogs is their bark.

The singer's voice is what distinguishes the band.

You can't distinguish the detail from this distance.

Recent Examples on the Web

For voters scrolling through Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms, distinguishing between independent commentary and paid political advertising is becoming increasingly difficult. — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

The 10th Circuit, however, carefully distinguished Colorado’s program from the ones in those landmark rulings. — Preston Green Iii, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

Hickel, meanwhile, distinguished the uncertainty facing professional employment from the enduring ability to create art. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Because oddly, of all the distinguishing qualities of successful presidential candidates, ambition turns out to be perhaps the most salient. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing distinguish

• distinguish oneself

Rhymes for distinguish

• extinguish

Kids Definition

distinguish

verb

dis·​tin·​guish dis-ˈtiŋ-(g)wish 

1

: to recognize one thing from others by some mark or quality

distinguish the bird calls

2

: to hear or see clearly : make out, discern

distinguish a light in the distance

3

: to know or point out the difference

distinguish between right and wrong

4

: to set apart as different or special

distinguished themselves by heroic actions

distinguishable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

distinguishably

-blē 

adverb

Legal Definition

distinguish

transitive verb

dis·​tin·​guish

: to identify or explain differences in or from

distinguished the cases on factual grounds