distinguish

dis-tin-guish · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To recognize or treat as different.

  2. 2.

    To perceive clearly with the senses or mind.

  3. 3.

    To make notable or eminent; to set apart.

  4. 4.

    To be a characteristic mark of something.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    Distinguish oneself — To excel or stand out.
  • •
    Distinguish between — To recognize the difference between two things.
  • •
    Hard to distinguish — Difficult to tell apart.

Related words

Antonyms: conflate, confuse, mix-up
See also: distinct, distinction, distinguished
Synonyms: differentiate, discern, recognize, tell apart

Etymology

From Latin distinguere ("to separate, divide, distinguish"), from dis- ("apart") + stinguere ("to prick, mark"). Related to distinct and distinction.