distinct

di-STINGKT/dɪˈstɪŋkt/

7 meanings of distinct

1
adjective
Not the same as something else, but clearly different.
Like two different colors that you can easily tell apart.
The two species are distinct from each other in size and color.
Her handwriting is quite distinct from her sister's.
Similardifferent, separate, distinguishable, dissimilar
Oppositesimilar, identical, indistinguishable
Note
2
adjective
Easy to notice because it is not like the others.
Like one loud voice that stands out in a crowd.
The dish had a distinct flavor of cinnamon.
There was a distinct change in his voice.
Similardistinctive, characteristic, individual, unique
Oppositenondescript
3
adjective
Clear and easy to see, hear, or feel.
Like a sharp photo where every edge is easy to see.
From the hill we saw the distinct outline of the city.
She heard a distinct knock at the door.
Similarclear, noticeable, definite, unmistakable, plain
Oppositeindistinct, faint, vague, unclear
Note
4
adjective
Kept apart and not joined to something else.
Like two islands with water between them.
The two buildings are distinct, separated by a wide courtyard.
Keep your work files distinct from your personal ones.
Similarseparate, discrete, detached
Oppositeconnected

Less common meanings

5
adjectiveobsolete
Marked out clearly by a visible sign so it stands apart.
Wherever thus created — for no place / Is yet distinct by name.
1667, John Milton, Paradise LostHere, distinct means marked out or set apart, here by a name.
Note
6
adjectiveobsolete
Covered with marks or many different colors.
Like a quilt made of many different colored patches.
The peacock spread its tail, distinct with a hundred shining eyes.
The which [place] was dight / With divers flowres distinct with rare delight.
1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneHere, distinct means marked with many colors.
Note
7
verbobsoletetransitive
To tell one thing apart from another.
Like sorting red apples from green ones.
The old scholar could distinct true coins from false ones by their weight.
Here every means is made use of to do away all distincting between federal and antifederal and I suspect with no very friendly design to the federal cause.
1788, James McHenry, letter to George WashingtonHere, distincting means telling apart, or making a difference between.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin distinctus, from the verb distinguere meaning "to distinguish." It reached English through Old French and Middle English.