distinguish meaning
distinguish :
to tell apart, to recognize differences
Verb
▪ She can distinguish between right and wrong.
▪ She can tell the difference between right and wrong.
▪ The twins are hard to distinguish.
▪ The twins are hard to tell apart.
paraphrasing
▪ differentiate – to see the difference
▪ discern – to recognize or identify
▪ separate – to divide or set apart
▪ identify – to recognize or name
Pronunciation
distinguish [dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ]
The stress is on 'stinguish' and sounds like 'di-sting-gwish'.
Common phrases and grammar about distinguish
distinguish - Common meaning
Verb
to tell apart, to recognize differences
Part of Speech Changes for "distinguish"
▪ distinction (noun) – a difference or contrast
▪ distinguished (adjective) – recognized for excellence
Common Expressions with "distinguish"
▪ distinguish between – to see the difference between
▪ distinguish features – to recognize special traits
▪ distinguish oneself – to stand out or be recognized
▪ distinguish from – to tell apart from something else
Important examples of distinguish in TOEIC
Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test
In TOEIC vocabulary questions, distinguish is often used to show the ability to see differences.
Example of a confusing word: extinguish (to put out a fire)
Grammar examples from the TOEIC test
Distinguish is used as a transitive verb, often requiring an object to show what is being told apart.
distinguish
Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC
distinguish oneself
'to stand out', often used in contexts of achievement or excellence.
draw a distinction
means 'to show a difference', used in discussions or arguments.
Differences between similar words and distinguish
distinguish
,
differentiate
differences
Distinguish means to see or show differences; differentiate often implies a more detailed analysis or understanding.
distinguish
,
identify
differences
Distinguish means to see differences; identify means to recognize or name something.
Words with the same origin as distinguish
The origin of distinguish
distinguish comes from the Latin 'distinguere', which first meant 'to separate' and then came to mean 'to recognize differences'.
Word structure
It has the prefix dis (apart), root tingu (to prick), and suffix ish (verb), meaning 'to prick apart'.
Words with the same origin
The root of distinguish is tingu (to prick). Words with the same root include extinguish (to put out).
Please select an image in the quiz
Previous post and next post
