distinction
[noun]
Synonyms:
- differentiation, discernment, discrimination, perception, separation
- feature, characteristic, distinctiveness, individuality, mark, particularity, peculiarity, quality
- difference, contrast, differential, division, separation
- excellence, eminence, fame, greatness, honour, importance, merit, prominence, repute

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Antonyms: indistinction, resemblance
Contrasted words: affinity, analogy, likeness, similarity, similitude

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

dis‧tinc‧tion W3 AC /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/ noun
[Word Family: noun: distinction; adverb: distinctly ≠ indistinctly; adjective: distinct ≠ indistinct]

1. DIFFERENCE [uncountable and countable] a clear difference or separation between two similar things
distinction between
the distinction between formal and informal language
clear/sharp distinction
There is often no clear distinction between an allergy and food intolerance.
make/draw a distinction
The Act makes no distinction between children and adults (=it treats them as if they were the same).

REGISTER
In written English, people often use draw a distinction rather than make a distinction, because it sounds more formal:
The law draws a distinction between temporary and permanent employees.

2. EXCELLENCE [uncountable] the quality of being excellent and important:
Eliot’s distinction as a poet

3. BEING SPECIAL [singular] the quality of being special in some way
have/earn/achieve etc the distinction of doing something
At that time, it had the distinction of being the largest bridge in the UK.
The US enjoys the dubious distinction of being the lawsuit capital of the world.

4. RESULT [uncountable and countable] a special mark given to a student whose work is excellent
with distinction
He obtained a law doctorate with distinction.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

distinction
noun
I. clear difference
ADJ. critical, crucial, important, key, main, major, vital | basic, essential, fundamental, underlying | clear, clear-cut, definite, marked, obvious, real, rigid, sharp, strong | fine, subtle | broad, general | crude, simple | logical, valid | useful | arbitrary, artificial | invidious making invidious distinctions between the ‘deserving’ and the ‘undeserving’ poor
absolute Is there always an absolute distinction between right and wrong?
conventional, old, traditional the conventional distinction between pure and applied science
formal | conceptual | theoretical | class, cultural, gender, moral
VERB + DISTINCTION draw, make She draws an important distinction between the different kinds of illness.
recognize, see We can see a sharp distinction between ambition and greed.
blur blurring the distinction between amateur and professional players
DISTINCTION + VERB lie Cultural distinctions lie at the heart of these issues.
PREP. without ~ All groups are entitled to this money without distinction (= without a difference being made between them).
~ between

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

distinction
II. excellence/fame
ADJ. considerable, great | modest | dubious | rare | unique | added | academic, intellectual, professional, social Wearing the county tie was a mark of modest social distinction.
VERB + DISTINCTION have He has the dubious distinction of being the first railway baron to go bankrupt.
achieve She achieved distinction in several fields of scholarship.
add Fennel leaves add distinction to any dish.
PREP. of ~ She is a historian of great distinction.
with ~ He served with distinction in the First World War.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

distinction

make a distinction (also draw a distinction formal) (=say or show that one exists)
It isn’t easy to make a distinction between these two words.
blur the distinction between something and something (=make it less clear)
Both sides in the war had been blurring the distinction between military and civilian targets.
see a distinction (=recognize that one exists)
He saw no distinction between religious beliefs and superstition.
a clear distinction
The legal system makes a clear distinction between adults and children.
a fine/subtle distinction (=small)
Language enables us to make fine distinctions between similar ideas.
a sharp distinction (=very clear)
The President drew a sharp distinction between his party and the Republican Party.
an important/crucial distinction
There is an important distinction between these two types of cancer.
a fundamental distinction (=a basic one)
There is a fundamental distinction between authors and readers.
a useful distinction
He makes a useful distinction between the two theories.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲