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 make noteworthy or remarkable :to give prominence or distinction (see distinction 5) 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
