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- pronunciation:
- dih
stIng
gwihsh
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb)
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
distinguishes, distinguishing, distinguished |
| definition 1: |
to correctly discern the identity of (each of two or more things) by recognizing how they are different (often fol. by "from").
Can you distinguish Japanese writing from Chinese writing?She is good at distinguishing different smells.- synonyms:
- designate, differentiate, discern, tell
- antonyms:
- confound
- similar words:
- characterize, contrast, discriminate, mark, pick out, signal, single out
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| definition 2: |
to see clearly or hear plainly.
It was too dark to distinguish his face.- synonyms:
- descry, discern
- similar words:
- detect, determine, espy, identify, note, perceive, see
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| definition 3: |
to act in a way that causes (oneself) to be recognized or to be set apart from others.
She distinguished herself in yesterday's race.- similar words:
- characterize, differentiate, dignify, honor
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| definition 4: |
to be the factor or factors that make (something) different from another or others.
A birthmark on the cheek distinguishes one twin from the other. |
| related words: |
ascertain, designate, feature, observe, qualify, recognize, recommend, spot |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition: |
to discriminate by noting or claiming differences (usu. fol. by "between").
The teacher can usually distinguish between a student's original work and work that has been strongly influenced by a parent.This historian distinguishes between "just" wars and "unjust" wars.- synonyms:
- differentiate, discern, discriminate
- similar words:
- decide
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| derivations: |
distinguishable (adj.), distinguishably (adv.), distinguishingly (adv.) |
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