Word
distinguished
Phoneticsdis·tin·guished, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
UK/dɪstˈɪŋɡwɪʃt/
Definitions
01successful and respected
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. famous and respected because of great work or a high position.
adj. celebrated or eminent due to significant achievements, professional rank, or contributions to a field.
“The university invited a distinguished professor to speak at the graduation ceremony.”
“After a distinguished career in international law, she was appointed to the highest court in the country.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02dignified appearance
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. looking important, elegant, and serious, often in a way that suggests age and experience.
adj. possessing a dignified or noble appearance, often associated with maturity or refined style.
“With his grey hair and tailored suit, he looked very distinguished.”
“The actor's distinguished features made him the perfect choice to play the role of the elder statesman.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“He had distinguished himself as a commander at Gettysburg and other Civil War battles, becoming the youngest major general in the Army at age 25.” “Using a stain that distinguished dead from living bacteria, the researchers confirmed that the treatment had killed 97 percent of the bacteria.” Etymology
From distinguish + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/distinguished