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

Toward the past, both men look back with tenderness, humor and a measure of regret, but it is a distinct pleasure of both memoirs that neither man looks back in anger.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“When I’m playing, it zones out,” Anna Leigh Waters says of that unmistakable, plastic pop, pop, pop distinct to the wildly popular paddle sport—and a bane to fussy condo boards everywhere.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But because Zosia has a face, a body and a particular way of speaking, she is, for the viewer — and for Carol — a distinct character.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“There are two distinct types or throwers: finger throwers and arm throwers,” Young said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

According to the researchers, nanobodies' compact structure gives them a distinct advantage.

Read more on Science Daily

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.