distinct
distinct Lexical Profile
distinct Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Recognizably different in nature, identity, or quality from something else of a similar type; separate and individual.
"The region is home to three distinct dialects that evolved independently over several centuries."
Readily perceived by the senses or the mind; clear, definite, and unmistakable.
"There was a distinct smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the quiet hallway."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Distinct' is frequently confused with 'distinctive'; 'distinct' means clearly separate, individual, or unmistakable, whereas 'distinctive' describes a characteristic feature that makes someone or something stand out from others.
• Rhymes for distinct
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French and directly from Latin 'distinctus', the past participle of 'distinguere' ('to separate between, keep separate, mark off'), formed from 'dis-' ('apart') and 'stinguere' ('to prick').