distinction

B1 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/ See IPA manual

Freq #11766

Meanings

1

noun
A clear difference between two or more things.

It is important to make a distinction between love and infatuation.
2

noun
A special quality or feature that makes someone or something stand out.

It has the distinction of being the cheapest restaurant in town.
3

noun
Great respect and high status earned through excellence.

She is a violinist of real distinction.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a clear difference between... differentiation

2 noun · a special quality or... characteristic

3 noun · great respect and high... eminence preeminence

Opposites

confusion

Word family

Forms distinctions

Derived forms contradistinctioncounterdistinctiondistinctionaldistinctionlessindistinctionmicrodistinction

Related forms distinct distinctive distinguish distinguishable distinguisheddistinguishness

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

highest distinction
The greatest level of honor or recognition awarded for achievement.

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From Middle English distinccioun, from Old French distinction (attested from the 12th century), borrowed from Latin distinctiōnem, action noun of distinguō (“separate, distinguish”). Attested in English from the late 14th century.

distinccioun Middle English distinction Old French distinctio Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Abstract Ideas

External links

# distinction

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/
**Frequency rank:** 11766

## Meanings
1. A clear difference between two or more things.
2. A special quality or feature that makes someone or something stand out.
3. Great respect and high status earned through excellence.

## Examples
- It is important to make a distinction between love and infatuation.
- It has the distinction of being the cheapest restaurant in town.
- She is a violinist of real distinction.

## Antonyms
- confusion

## Derived Forms
- contradistinction
- counterdistinction
- distinctional
- distinctionless
- indistinction
- microdistinction

## Related Forms
- distinct
- distinctive
- distinguish
- distinguishable
- distinguished
- distinguishness

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: distinccioun
- Root: distinction
- Root: distinctio

## Etymology
From Middle English distinccioun, from Old French distinction (attested from the 12th century), borrowed from Latin distinctiōnem, action noun of distinguō (“separate, distinguish”). Attested in English from the late 14th century.

## AI Etymology
Distinction comes from Middle English distinccioun, from Old French distinction (attested from the 12th century), borrowed from Latin distinctiōnem, action noun of distinguō (“separate, distinguish”). Attested in English from the late 14th century. In current use, the main senses are “A clear difference between two or more things” and “A special quality or feature that makes someone or something stand out”.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas

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