# distinguish

> English word · Verb · IPA /dɪˈstɪŋ.ɡwɪʃ/ · frequency rank #8,657

## Definitions
1. To recognize someone or something as different from others based on its characteristics.
2. To see someone or something clearly or distinctly.
3. To make noticeably different or better from others through accomplishments.
4. To confer an honor upon.
5. To make to differ.

## Etymology
From Middle English distingwen, from Old French distinguer, from Latin distinguere (“to separate, divide, distinguish, set off, adorn, literally mark off”), from di-, dis- (“apart”) + stinguere, related to English stink. Compare extinguish.

## Easily confused with
- **distinguished** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/distinguish-vs-distinguished)

## Common misspellings (17)
`ddistinguish`, `disitnguish`, `disstinguish`, `distignuish`, `distingguish`, `distingiush`, `distinguihs`, `distinguishh`, `distinguissh`, `distingusih`, `distinnguish`, `distinugish`, `distniguish`, `disttinguish`, `ditsinguish`, `dsitinguish`, `idstinguish`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/distinguish