Distinguish meaning

What does “distinguish” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“distinguish” is a verb with 5 meanings. Its most common meaning is: mark as different.

distinguish

mark as different
“We distinguish several kinds of maple”
Synonymsseparate differentiate secern secernate severalize severalise tell tell apart
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”
Synonymsspot recognize recognise discern pick out make out tell apart
be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense
“His modesty distinguishes him from his peers”
Synonymsmark differentiate
make conspicuous or noteworthy
Synonymssignalize signalise
identify as in botany or biology, for example
Synonymsidentify discover key key out describe name

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University