distinction

noun

(specifically) A feature that causes someone or something to stand out as being better; a mark of honour, rank, eminence or excellence; the quality of being distinguished.

A feature that causes someone or something to stand out from others of its type.

That which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination.

The act of distinguishing, discriminating; discrimination.

Roots

stinguostinct- · Latin · prick, mark off

Synonyms for distinction

differentiationn preeminencen differencen distinctivenessn contradistinctionn eminencen differentian discretenessn unlikenessn dissimilarityn dissimilituden dissemblancen accoladen distinctnessn separatenessn

Synonyms & related words for distinction

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of distinction — including differentiation, preeminence, difference, distinctiveness, contradistinction, eminence. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to distinction

Explore words related to distinction — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include distinguishing, contradistinguish, distinguishes, disparateness, secern, indistinctive, contradistinctive, differentiate. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for distinction

Common synonyms for distinction include differentiation, preeminence, difference, distinctiveness, contradistinction, eminence, differentia, discreteness — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does distinction come from?

The word distinction breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root stinct-, from Latin stinguo (“prick, mark off”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.