distinguishing

[dih-sting-gwi-shing]

adjective

1. distinctive; characteristic, as a definitive feature of an individual or group.

   Intricate rhyming is a distinguishing feature of her poetry.

Other Word Forms

• distinguishingly adverb
• nondistinguishing adjective
• self-distinguishing adjective
• undistinguishing adjective
• undistinguishingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of distinguishing¹

First recorded in 1660–70; distinguish + -ing ²

Example Sentences

For generations, Americans have marked Thanksgiving by wrestling with the perfect way to prepare and serve turkey, a bird known for its ungainly size, dry texture and lack of distinguishing flavor.

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The letter concluded with a long list of various types of ferns, complete with their distinguishing characteristics.

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He says that while distinguishing between "useful" and "wasteful" handouts is important, it is only by extracting promises during elections that the poor in India get anything at all from their political representatives.

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The clinical importance of distinguishing this pattern lies in treatment.

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Daly didn’t indicate support for a move in December and focused on distinguishing temporary price effects from longer-term changes in the economy.

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