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
Related Words
See famous.
Other Word Forms
- distinguishedly adverb
- nondistinguished adjective
- well-distinguished adjective
Etymology
Origin of distinguished
First recorded in 1700–10; distinguish + -ed 2
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.
The general assured them he distinguished between the masterminds behind the uprising and soldiers ordered to carry it out.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026
Not because Mullin, a wealthy plumbing baron from Oklahoma who’s served in Washington since 2013, has a distinguished legislative record.
From Slate • Mar. 7, 2026
Male Barbary lions are generally larger than other species and are distinguished by their thick black mane and belly hair.
From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026
For instance, snake species may be distinguished by variations in their markings or build.
From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026
With testimony distinguished from authority, what was previously authority became, in Glanvill’s words, simply ‘old and useless luggage’.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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.
