- past tense form of distinguish.
- past participle 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.
Robert Pozen is currently a distinguished senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and former president of Fidelity Investments.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026
Yes, Nolan has worked with some of the most distinguished actors of our time, including Christian Bale, Cillian Murphy and Leo.
From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2026
"As different seating sections have been distinguished, there has been a drive to make it clear as to where and what each ticket is," Dilworth explains.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
A JPMorgan spokesman said Bisignano is distinguished for his grit and determination, and that “we applaud his service to our country both at the Social Security Administration and the IRS.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
Still my position was a distinguished one, and I was not at all dissatisfied with it, until Fate threw me in the way of that unlimited miscreant, Trabb’s boy.
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
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.
