distinguish

verb

di-STING-gwish/dɪˈstɪŋ.ɡwɪʃ/

Formsdistinguishes, distinguishing, distinguished

5 meanings of distinguish

1
verbtransitive or intransitive
To tell that one person or thing is different from others by noticing what makes it special.
Like picking your friend out of a crowd by their face.
Can you distinguish a wolf from a large dog?
He learned to distinguish the different bird calls in the forest.
Similardifferentiate, discern, discriminate, tell
Oppositeconfuse
Note
2
verbtransitive
To see something clearly enough to know what it is.
Like seeing a far-off sign well enough to read the words.
Through the fog, he could barely distinguish the shape of a ship.
I couldn't distinguish her face in the dark room.
Similardiscern
3
verbreflexivetransitive
To make yourself stand out from others by doing something very well.
Like a runner who finishes far ahead of everyone else.
She worked hard to distinguish herself at the new job.
He distinguished himself by solving the problem no one else could.
Similarmark, establish
Oppositedisgrace
Note
4
verbtransitive
To honor someone with a special title, prize, or award.
Like giving someone a gold medal for their good work.
The academy chose to distinguish him with its top honor.
The town distinguished its hero with a statue in the square.
Similarhonor, decorate, recognize
Oppositedishonor, disgrace
Note

Less common meaning

5
verbobsoletetransitive
To make one thing different from another.
For who diſtinguiſheth thee?
1749, The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Newly reviſed, and corrected according to the Clementin Edition of the…Here, distinguisheth means makes you different from others.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin 'distinguere', meaning to separate or mark off. This came into English through Old French.