distinguished

[ dih-sting-gwisht ]
See synonyms for distinguished on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. made conspicuous by excellence; noted; eminent; famous: a distinguished scholar.

  2. having an air of distinction, dignity, or eminence: a distinguished old gentleman.

Origin of distinguished

1
First recorded in 1700–10; distinguish + -ed2

synonym study For distinguished

1. See famous.

Other words for distinguished

Other words from distinguished

  • dis·tin·guished·ly, adverb
  • non·dis·tin·guished, adjective
  • well-dis·tin·guished, adjective

Words that may be confused with distinguished

Words Nearby distinguished

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use distinguished in a sentence

  • He distinguished himself in several campaigns, especially in the Peninsular war, and was raised to the rank of field marshal.

  • “This house must have been the hotel of some distinguished family, Baron; it is nobly proportioned,” said David Arden.

    Checkmate | Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
  • A distinguished-looking man, evidently vested with authority, bustled forward and addressed him, civilly enough.

    The Red Year | Louis Tracy
  • A characteristic which distinguished them and which impressed Mrs. Pontellier most forcibly was their entire absence of prudery.

  • William Woodville died; a distinguished English physician and medical writer.

British Dictionary definitions for distinguished

distinguished

/ (dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt) /


adjective
  1. noble or dignified in appearance or behaviour

  2. eminent; famous; celebrated

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012