distinct

adjective

dis·tinct | \ di-ˈstiŋ(k)t

Definition of distinct

1 : distinguishable to the eye or mind as being discrete (see discrete sense 1) or not the same : separate a distinct cultural group teaching as distinct from research

2 : presenting a clear unmistakable impression a neat distinct handwriting

3 archaic : notably decorated

4a : notable a distinct contribution to scholarship

b : readily and unmistakably apprehended (see apprehend sense 2a) a distinct possibility of snow a distinct British accent the distinct odor of sulfur

Other Words from distinct Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about distinct

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Other Words from distinct

distinctly \ di-ˈstiŋ(k)-tlē

, -ˈstiŋ-klē \ adverb

distinctness \ di-ˈstiŋ(k)t-nəs

, -ˈstiŋk-nəs \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for distinct

distinct, separate, discrete mean not being each and every one the same. distinct indicates that something is distinguished by the mind or eye as being apart or different from others. two distinct versions separate often stresses lack of connection or a difference in identity between two things. separate rooms discrete strongly emphasizes individuality and lack of connection. broke the job down into discrete stages

synonyms see in addition evident

Examples of distinct in a Sentence

There are three distinct categories. Each herb has its own distinct flavor. The phrase has three distinct meanings. There was the distinct smell of something burning. The outline became less and less distinct as the light faded. We had the distinct impression that they were lying.

Recent Examples on the Web This was recognition of what ultimately explains how 12 teams, in those three distinct groups, could stand together under the same flag, albeit briefly, albeit without seeming to notice that it was adorned with a skull-and-crossbones. — New York Times, "The Super League Is Gone. What Now?," 23 Apr. 2021 This process of yielding helped illuminate a new path forward marked by distinct advantages. — Dana Brownlee, Forbes, "Stricken With A Debilitating Tick-Borne Illness, The First Female Thunderbird Pilot Shares Her Resilience Secret," 16 Apr. 2021 Genetic studies suggest that the Europe of this era was the scene of a complex set of early migrations in which unrelated, distinct groups of early humans split off from the common ancestors who left Africa. — Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, "Some of Europe’s Oldest-Known Modern Humans Are Distantly Related to Native Americans," 7 Apr. 2021 Beaver County has three distinct Facebook news groups. — NBC News, "In a Pennsylvania town, a Facebook group fills the local news void," 5 Apr. 2021 The dozen or so Brazilian and Portuguese traffickers in Lower Manhattan, known as the Portuguese Company, relied on the distinct advantages of their different partners. — James Oakes, The New York Review of Books, "Why Did the Slave Trade Survive So Long?," 23 Mar. 2021 The agency recommends keeping student and teachers in distinct groups, or cohorts, throughout the day and maintaining 6 feet of distance between those groups, when possible. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, "Updated CDC guidance says 3 feet of physical distancing is safe in schools," 19 Mar. 2021 Orang Asli is an umbrella term that encompasses 18 distinct Indigenous groups. — Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, "How a New Generation of Malaysian Chefs Is Evolving the Nation’s Multicultural Cuisine," 1 Mar. 2021 Threat intelligence companies' attempts to define distinct hacker groups within shadowy intelligence agencies like the GRU have always been murky. — Andy Greenberg, Wired, "Hackers Tied to Russia's GRU Targeted the US Grid for Years, Researchers Warn," 24 Feb. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'distinct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.