Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):

   • To recognize or point out a difference; to differentiate: To perceive or show the difference between two or more things.
   • To perceive clearly; to discern: To recognize or identify something by sight, sound, or other senses.
   • To be a characteristic or identifying feature of: To make someone or something noticeably different or special.
   • To make oneself worthy of notice; to excel: To perform in a way that brings recognition or honor.

2. Verb (Intransitive):

   • To recognize or understand the difference between things: To make a distinction.

Usage Examples

• Transitive Verb:

  • It is important to distinguish facts from opinions. (To recognize the difference.)
  • His keen eyes could distinguish a hawk from a falcon at a great distance. (To perceive clearly.)
  • Her remarkable patience distinguishes her as an excellent teacher. (To be a characteristic feature.)
  • He distinguished himself in the field of scientific research. (To make oneself worthy of notice.)

• Intransitive Verb:

  • A good critic must distinguish between good art and popular art. (To recognize the difference.)

Advanced Usage

• "Distinguish oneself": To do something so well that one gains fame or recognition.

  • She distinguished herself by winning the national championship.

• "Distinguish A from B": To perceive or show the difference between A and B.

  • This test helps distinguish benign tumors from malignant ones.

Variants and Related Words

• Distinguishable (adjective): Able to be recognized as different; perceptible.

  • The twins are barely distinguishable from each other.

• Distinguished (adjective): Very successful, authoritative, and commanding great respect.

  • A distinguished professor of history.

• Distinguishing (adjective): Characteristic of one person or thing, and so serving to identify it.

  • A distinguishing mark.

Synonyms

• Differentiate: To recognize or ascertain what makes someone or something different.
• Discriminate: To recognize a distinction, often in a careful or nuanced way.
• Discern: To perceive or recognize something, especially something that is not obvious.
• Tell apart: To be able to see how people or things are different.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Distinguish between: To recognize or show the difference between two or more things (used intransitively).
  • The law distinguishes between murder and manslaughter.

Related Idioms

• To have distinguishing features: To possess characteristics that make identification or differentiation easy.
  • The rare coin has several distinguishing features that confirm its authenticity.

Verb

1. identify as in botany or biology, for example
2. make conspicuous or noteworthy
3. be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense
   • His modesty distinguishes him from his peers
4. detect with the senses
   • The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards
   • I can't make out the faces in this photograph
5. mark as different
   • We distinguish several kinds of maple