- past participle of distinguish.
- past tense form of distinguish.
distinguished
Americanadjective
-
made conspicuous by excellence; noted; eminent; famous.
a distinguished scholar.
- Synonyms:
- illustrious, renowned
-
having an air of distinction, dignity, or eminence.
a distinguished old gentleman.
adjective
-
noble or dignified in appearance or behaviour
-
eminent; famous; celebrated
Synonym Usage
See famous.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of distinguished
First recorded in 1700–10; distinguish + -ed 2
Explanation
Being distinguished is a good thing: it implies good behavior, sharp dress, and an excellent reputation. Distinguished people are respected. When we say someone is distinguished, we're expressing respect for them. Usually, someone distinguished is older: distinguished people are wise, accomplished, and professional-looking — and usually have an impressive reputation to match. A teenager can't really be distinguished. They're too young to look the part, and they haven't done enough to earn the title. We admire people who are distinguished.
Vocabulary lists containing distinguished
"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant
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And Then There Were None
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"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 14–18
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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.
“In a sense, hitting Omsk may well be the straw that broke the camel’s back,” said James Henderson, distinguished research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 10, 2026
The i Weekend says the prime minister and political leaders remember Widdecombe as a "distinguished politician", with the paper remarking she "delighted millions" when she appeared on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2010.
From BBC • Jul. 10, 2026
Major League Baseball reserves a potential All-Star roster spot or two each summer for distinguished players: Bryce Harper and Justin Verlander this year, Clayton Kershaw last year, Pujols and Miguel Cabrera in past years.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2026
But Quantinuum is distinguished by its technical prowess, as Rosenblatt Securities analyst John McPeake noted.
From Barron's • Jun. 29, 2026
Even in those early postwar years, Harvey distinguished himself with "an excellent knowledge of Russian espionage and Communist activities," according to a former colleague.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
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.
