distinct
Americanadjective
-
distinguished as not being the same; not identical; separate (sometimes followed byfrom ).
His private and public lives are distinct.
- Synonyms:
- individual, discrete
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different in nature or quality; dissimilar (sometimes followed byfrom ).
Gold is distinct from iron.
-
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
-
distinguishing or perceiving clearly.
distinct vision.
-
unquestionably exceptional or notable.
a distinct honor.
-
Archaic. distinctively decorated or adorned.
adjective
-
easily sensed or understood; clear; precise
-
(when postpositive, foll by from) not the same (as); separate (from); distinguished (from)
-
not alike; different
-
sharp; clear
-
recognizable; definite
a distinct improvement
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explicit; unequivocal
-
maths logic (of a pair of entities) not identical
-
botany (of parts of a plant) not joined together; separate
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
- distinctly adverb
- distinctness noun
Etymology
Origin of distinct
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“What our bill is about is individualized price setting, which is distinct from dynamic pricing,” he said.
From MarketWatch
A Times analysis of Los Angeles County building permit records shows two distinct realities: Interest in rebuilding is high and progress is slow.
From Los Angeles Times
Even though different species can still interbreed, these inversions limit how much their DNA mixes, helping maintain distinct traits.
From Science Daily
During later tests, the areas previously exposed to the electron beam behaved differently and displayed distinct colors.
From Science Daily
Instead, the material forms three repeating types of organic-mineral regions, each with its own distinct composition.
From Science Daily
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
