verb
distinguish
dih-STIHNG-gwihsh
verb
1
To recognize the difference between two or more things.
"It can be hard to distinguish real diamonds from cubic zirconia."
"Young children may not yet distinguish right from wrong."
2
To make someone or something stand out from others, often through achievement.
"Her calm leadership distinguished her from the other candidates."
How to Use Distinguish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo tell things apart, or to make something noticeably different (usually better).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
distinguish between
distinguish from
distinguish oneself
Word Forms
distinguished past tense, distinguishes singular
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It can be hard to _____ real diamonds from cubic zirconia.
Etymology
From Old French distinguer, itself from Latin distinguere, "to separate by pricking or marking off" — built from dis- ("apart") and a root related to the English word stink (originally about a sharp, distinct smell).