distinctive, distinct, distinguished
- distinctive, distinct, distinguished
These words are related but not interchangeable in meaning. Distinctive means "characteristic," "individual," "set apart": "the distinctive roar of a lion." Distinct means "clear," "plain," "definite," "unmistakable in its identity": "Oxygen has properties distinct from those of helium." Distinguished stresses the quality or characteristic of being eminent, outstanding, renowned: "This official has had a distinguished career in public service." What is distinct is clearly seen and not easily mistaken for something else; what is distinctive is something so set apart as to be conspicuous; what is distinguished is conspicuous by reason of excellence and distinction.
Dictionary of problem words and expressions.
Harry Shaw.
1975.
Look at other dictionaries:
distinctive — See distinctive, distinct, distinguished … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
distinct — See distinctive, distinct, distinguished … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
distinguished — See distinctive, distinct, distinguished … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
distinct - distinctive - distinguished — ◊ distinct If one thing is distinct from another, there is an important difference between them. Our interests were quite distinct from those of the workers. ...a tree related to but quite distinct from the European beech. You describe something… … Useful english dictionary
distinct — I (clear) adjective apparent, clarus, clear cut, clear to the mind, clear to the senses, clearly defined, concrete, conspicuous, crystal clear, definite, distinctus, distinguishable, easily perceived, easily understood, eidetic, evident, explicit … Law dictionary
distinctive — I adjective characteristic, conspicuous, contrasting, diacritical, different, differentiating, differentiative, differing, discriminating, distinct, distinguishing, exclusive, idiomatic, idiosyncratic, indicating difference, indicative,… … Law dictionary
distinct — adjective /dɪˈstɪŋkt/ a) Very clear. Her voice was distinct despite the heavy traffic. b) Different from one another. The letters in the word clear are distinct, while the letters in the word distinct are not. Syn: prominent … Wiktionary
distinct — Synonyms and related words: absolute, apart, apparent, articulate, assorted, asunder, at odds, at variance, audible, bipartite, categorical, certain, clean cut, clear, clear as crystal, clear as day, clear cut, coherent, concrete, connected,… … Moby Thesaurus
distinctive — Synonyms and related words: accurate, appreciative, appropriate, articulate, audible, categorical, characteristic, characterizing, classificational, classificatory, clear, contrastive, critical, defining, definite, delicate, denominative,… … Moby Thesaurus
distinct — 1 Distinct, separate, several, discrete are comparable when used in reference to two or more things (sometimes persons) and in the sense of not being individually the same. Distinct always implies a capacity for being distinguished by the eye or… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
