Nearby Words
verb (used with object)
1.
to mark off as different (often followed by from or by): He was distinguished from the other boys by his height.
2.
3.
to perceive clearly by sight or other sense; discern; recognize: He could not distinguish many of the words.
4.
to set apart as different; be a distinctive characteristic of; characterize: It is his Italian accent that distinguishes him.
5.
EXPANDto make prominent, conspicuous, or eminent: to distinguish oneself in battle.
6.
to divide into classes; classify: Let us distinguish the various types of metaphor.
7.
COLLAPSEArchaic. to single out for or honor with special attention.
verb (used without object)
8.
to indicate or show a difference (usually followed by between).
9.
to recognize or note differences; discriminate.
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Distinguishments
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
Origin:
1555–65; extension, by -ish2, of Middle English disting(u)en (< Anglo-French, Middle French distinguer) < Latin distinguere; see distinct
1555–65; extension, by -ish2, of Middle English disting(u)en (< Anglo-French, Middle French distinguer) < Latin distinguere; see distinct
Related forms
dis·tin·guish·a·ble, adjective
dis·tin·guish·a·ble·ness, dis·tin·guish·a·bil·i·ty, noun
dis·tin·guish·a·bly, adverb
dis·tin·guish·er, noun
dis·tin·guish·ment, noun
EXPANDin·ter·dis·tin·guish, verb (used with object)
non·dis·tin·guish·a·ble, adjective
non·dis·tin·guish·a·ble·ness, noun
non·dis·tin·guish·a·b·ly, adverb
pre·dis·tin·guish, verb (used with object)
re·dis·tin·guish, verb
un·dis·tin·guish·a·ble, adjective
COLLAPSESynonyms
2. Distinguish, differentiate, discriminate suggest an attempt to analyze characteristic features or qualities of things. To distinguish is to recognize the characteristic features belonging to a thing: to distinguish a light cruiser from a heavy cruiser. To discriminate is to perceive the particular, nice, or exact differences between things, to determine wherein these differences consist, and to estimate their significance: to discriminate prejudiced from unprejudiced testimony. To differentiate is to point out exactly and in detail the differences between (usually) two things: The symptoms of both diseases are so similar that it is hard to differentiate one from another.
2. Distinguish, differentiate, discriminate suggest an attempt to analyze characteristic features or qualities of things. To distinguish is to recognize the characteristic features belonging to a thing: to distinguish a light cruiser from a heavy cruiser. To discriminate is to perceive the particular, nice, or exact differences between things, to determine wherein these differences consist, and to estimate their significance: to discriminate prejudiced from unprejudiced testimony. To differentiate is to point out exactly and in detail the differences between (usually) two things: The symptoms of both diseases are so similar that it is hard to differentiate one from another.
Antonyms
2. confuse.
2. confuse.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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