Distinct
/dɪˈstɪŋkt/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Distinct describes something that is easy to see, hear, or understand because it is different from other things. It means something is clear and separate, not mixed or confused with others. You can recognize it easily because it has its own unique qualities.
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⚡ See It in Action
Clearly different or separate from others
- •The two twins have distinct personalities.
- •There was a distinct smell of flowers in the garden.
- •Her handwriting is distinct from everyone else's.
Easy to notice or understand
- •The sound of the bell was distinct even from far away.
- •He spoke with a distinct accent.
- •The colors on the painting are distinct and bright.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "distinct" like "different" (A1 word), but stronger and clearer—something you can easily notice or tell apart
- ✓Picture two fruits: an apple and an orange. Their colors and shapes are distinct because you can clearly tell them apart
- ✓It's the feeling when you hear a friend's voice in a noisy room—you recognize it because it is distinct from other sounds
- ✓Sounds like "dis-TINCT" → imagine a bell ringing clearly and sharply, standing out from quiet background noise
- ✓Remember famous logos or brands that have distinct colors or shapes, so you recognize them immediately
- ✓NOT like "similar" (close or almost the same)—distinct means clearly different
- ✓NOT like "vague" (unclear or hard to see)—distinct means very clear and easy to notice
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Clear: easy to see or understand (Use when emphasizing how easy it is to notice or understand something)
- •Separate: not joined or connected (Use when talking about physical or abstract separation)
- •Unique: one of a kind (Use when something is the only one like it, stronger than distinct)
- •Obvious: easy to see or understand without doubt (Use when something is very easy to notice or understand)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "dis-" (apart, away) + root "stinct" (from Latin "stinguere" meaning to prick or mark)
- •Etymology: From Latin "distinctus," past participle of "distinguere," meaning to separate or mark off
- •Historical development: Originally used in English from the 15th century to mean clearly marked or separate
- •Modern usage: Used to describe things that are clearly different, easy to recognize, or clearly noticeable
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can something be distinct but still similar? How do you decide when differences are strong enough to be distinct?
•How does noticing distinct details help you understand or describe the world better?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The two paintings are distinct because they use very different ___ and styles.
2.You can hear the bird’s song because it is distinct ___ the noise of the city.
3.Her voice is distinct ___ anyone else in the choir.
4.When things are distinct, it is easier to ___ them from each other.
5.The flavors in this dish are distinct, so you can ___ each ingredient clearly.
6.A distinct smell often helps people ___ what is nearby.
7.Not all differences are distinct; some are very ___ and hard to notice.