distinct

[dih-stingkt]

adjective

1. distinguished as not being the same; not identical; separate (sometimes followed byfrom ).

   His private and public lives are distinct.

   Synonyms: individual, discrete

2. different in nature or quality; dissimilar (sometimes followed byfrom ).

   Gold is distinct from iron.

3. clear to the senses or intellect; plain; unmistakable.

   The ship appeared as a distinct silhouette.

   Synonyms: well-defined, sharp, unlike, distinguishable, disparate, different
   Antonyms: indistinct

4. distinguishing or perceiving clearly.

   distinct vision.

5. unquestionably exceptional or notable.

   a distinct honor.

6. Archaic.,  distinctively decorated or adorned.

distinct

/ dɪˈstɪŋkt /

adjective

1. easily sensed or understood; clear; precise

2. (when postpositive, foll by from) not the same (as); separate (from); distinguished (from)

3. not alike; different

4. sharp; clear

5. recognizable; definite

   a distinct improvement

6. explicit; unequivocal

7. maths logic (of a pair of entities) not identical

8. botany (of parts of a plant) not joined together; separate

Other Word Forms

• distinctness noun
• distinctly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of distinct¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin distinctus, “divided off,” past participle of disting(u)ere “to divide off, pick out, distinguish,” from di- di- ² + sting(u)ere (unrecorded), presumably, “to prick, mark by pricking”; instinct ¹, instigate

Word History and Origins

Origin of distinct¹

C14: from Latin distinctus, from distinguere to _distinguish

Example Sentences

Third, the country of origin can shape geopolitical insight and offer distinct views on politics, culture and global trends.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Holyrood ministers have used their devolved powers to set up a distinct system, with seven bands to the UK's four.

Read more on BBC

Standing out from the rest of the Crosstrek lineup, the Wilderness grade proffers a more distinct, rugged appearance.

Read more on MarketWatch

Satellite measurements showed a distinct rise in nitrogen dioxide, or NO2, across the southeastern Atlantic Ocean.

Read more on Science Daily

Deputies in the Italian parliament have voted unanimously to introduce the crime of femicide – the murder of a woman, motivated by gender – as a distinct law to be punished with a life sentence.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• discrete 
• disparate 
• dissimilar 
• distinctive 
• divergent 
• diverse 
• offbeat 
• particular 
• peculiar 
• separate 
• special 
• specific 
• unique 
• various 

When To Use

What are other ways to say distinct?

The adjective distinct is used to describe things that are clearly distinguished from others. How does distinct compare to synonyms different, various, and diverse? Find out on Thesaurus.com.