Added 29 September 2026
distinguish
/dɪˈstɪŋ.ɡwɪʃ/ verb
In Latin: internoscō, distinguō, dignoscō Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about distinguish at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- To recognize someone or something as different from others based on its characteristics.
- To see someone or something clearly or distinctly.
-
To make noticeably different or better from others through accomplishments.
The soldier distinguished himself in combat and received a medal.
Origin
From Middle English distingwen, from Old French distinguer, from Latin distinguere (“to separate, divide, distinguish, set off, adorn, literally mark off”), from di-, dis- (“apart”) + stinguere, related to English stink. Compare extinguish.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)