# distinguishing

/dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪŋ/ (US) · /dɪstˈɪŋɡwɪʃɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/distinguishing
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. unique or identifying

adjective · CEFR B2

describing a feature that makes a person or thing different from others so you can recognize them.

For teachers: serving to identify or differentiate an entity from others through unique characteristics.

- The detective asked if the thief had any distinguishing marks, like a tattoo or a scar.
- The most distinguishing feature of the building is its bright blue roof, which makes it visible from several miles away.

Usage: usually placed before the noun it describes.

### 2. the act of telling apart

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of seeing or naming the difference between two things.

For teachers: the process or act of discriminating between different entities or qualities.

- The distinguishing of different bird species can be very difficult for beginners.
- The precise distinguishing of these two chemical compounds requires advanced laboratory equipment and significant expertise.

Usage: often used in academic or technical contexts regarding classification.

Teaching tip: This noun use is much rarer than the adjective; students should focus on the adjective form first.

## Examples

- The bird has a distinguishing white patch on its wing.
- The most distinguishing feature of the new smartphone is its foldable screen technology.
- The witness provided several distinguishing details about the suspect, including a small scar on the left cheek and a unique silver ring.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.