distinctly
Americanadverb
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in a distinct manner; clearly.
Speak more distinctly.
-
without doubt; unmistakably.
Synonym Usage
See clearly.
Etymology
Origin of distinctly
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English. See distinct, -ly
Vocabulary lists containing distinctly
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.
Wall Street is starting to revamp its outlook for stock performance over the second half of 2026, following a distinctly separate set of market returns that dominated the opening six months.
From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026
The audio has a distinctly early-2000s quality to it, reminiscent of the days when incoming calls caused nearby speakers to violently stutter.
From Slate • Jun. 20, 2026
As the World Cup landed in the U.S. for the first time in three decades, international soccer fans have been acquainting themselves with the distinctly American pleasures of barbecue, highway traffic jams and Texas summers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026
Steak leans into its vintage charm with dark lighting, a crackling fireplace and a distinctly romantic atmosphere.
From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026
“Just as you like, sir, of course. But he strikes me as being a bit out of the ordinary. I’d say, a distinctly useful rabbit.”
From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams
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.
