Word
distinction
Phoneticsdis·tinc·tion, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/
UK/dɪstˈɪŋkʃən/
Definitions
01a difference
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a clear difference between two similar things.
n. a discrimination or separation between two or more things based on their differences.
日本語:区別※
“There is a sharp distinction between being famous and being respected.”
“The law makes a clear distinction between accidental damage and intentional vandalism, applying different penalties for each.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02excellence
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the quality of being excellent or special.
n. the quality of being outstanding or superior; a mark of honor or high achievement.
“She served her country with distinction for over thirty years.”
“The professor was awarded a medal of distinction for his groundbreaking research into renewable energy sources.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03academic grade
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun British English
n. a very high grade in an exam or course.
n. a specific grade or award conferred for high performance in an academic or professional examination.
“He was thrilled to pass his piano exam with distinction.”
“To graduate with distinction, students must maintain a high grade point average and complete an original thesis project.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “distinction” in context.
Verb
01. draw distinction
“The report fails to draw a clear distinction between legal and ethical obligations.”
verb + noun
02. make distinction
“It is difficult to make a distinction between the two species without a microscope.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. important distinction
“The judge noted an important distinction that changed the outcome of the trial.”
adj + noun
Noun
04. distinction between
“Philosophers often explore the distinction between the mind and the body.”
noun + prep
05. distinction matters
Real-World Examples
“It's important to talk about the distinction between a risk and a hazard .” “More recently, theorists and storytellers – a distinction that often blurs when it comes to thinking about aliens – have begun to speculate that what separates us from extraterrestrials isn’t different biologies.” “In their new paper, the researchers investigated how this distinction between heat and useful energy affects the semiclassical limit.” 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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/distinction
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0