How Do You Spell DISTINGUISH?

Pronunciation: [dɪstˈɪŋɡwɪʃ] (IPA)

The word "distinguish" is spelled with 10 letters and can be broken down into three syllables: dis-tin-guish. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /dɪsˈtɪŋ.ɡwɪʃ/. The initial "d" sound is followed by a short "i" sound, then a "s" sound, and another short "i" sound. The final syllable begins with a hard "g" sound, followed by a "w" and an "i" sound, and ending with a "sh" sound. This word means to recognize or identify as different, or to stand out in a particular way.

DISTINGUISH Meaning and Definition

1. Distinguish is a verb that generally refers to the act of recognizing or perceiving a difference or distinction between two or more items, concepts, individuals, or groups. It involves the ability to discern or separate unique qualities, characteristics, or features that set one thing apart from another.

   In a literal sense, distinguish can involve visually seeing or observing the dissimilarity or uniqueness of objects or individuals. Here, it implies the ability to identify fine details or discrepancies that help in isolating and categorizing them. For instance, one may distinguish between similar-looking twins based on their distinct facial features or distinguish between different species of birds by observing their unique plumage.

   Furthermore, the term can also be used in a metaphorical sense, referring to the ability to discriminate or differentiate between concepts, ideas, or qualities. It demonstrates a cognitive process where one is able to discern the nuances or variations that separate one concept or idea from another. For example, someone can distinguish between two similar political ideologies by identifying the key principles or policy differences that distinguish one from the other.

   Overall, to distinguish is to bring attention to or recognize the dissimilarity, uniqueness, or discerning features that exist between two or more entities, be it physical objects, individuals, or abstract concepts. It encompasses both the literal act of visually spotting differences as well as the intellectual process of identifying distinctions between abstract ideas or qualities.

2. To indicate difference by some external mark; to separate or divide by some mark or quality; to perceive a difference by the senses; to make eminent or known; to signalise; to find the difference.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DISTINGUISH *

• distinquish 25.698324%
• distiguish 17.8770949%
• distingish 13.4078212%
• destinguish 12.2905027%
• distingush 10.6145251%
• ditinguish 2.793296%
• distinguise 1.6759776%
• distingwish 1.6759776%
• distinguis 1.6759776%
• distingguish 1.1173184%
• distinugish 1.1173184%
• distringuish 1.1173184%
• dsitinguish 1.1173184%
• distinguih 1.1173184%
• distinquesh 1.1173184%
• distinguishe 0.5586592%
• distingues 0.5586592%
• distguish 0.5586592%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DISTINGUISH

• distingusish
• distingrish
• distenguish
• distinglish
• distinguishs
• distingusih
• distunguish
• distinuish
• distigish
• distibguish
• dinstinguish
• distingushe
• distingugish
• distiquish
• destingish
• distinguishly
• distinguist
• distingiush
• distinguesh
• distuingish
• distinguaish
• estinguish
• distiniguish
• distinguse
• disinguish
• distinquih
• distingquish

Etymology of DISTINGUISH

The word "distinguish" originated from the Old French term "distinguer", which was derived from the Latin word "distinguere". In Latin, "distinguere" is a combination of "dis-" (meaning "apart" or "away") and "stinguere" (meaning "to prick" or "to prick apart"). Therefore, the original etymology of "distinguish" suggests the idea of perceiving or marking something as separate or distinct from other things.

Similar spelling words for DISTINGUISH

• distinction,
• distinct,
• distinguishes,
• distinguishing,
• distinguished,
• distinctness.

Conjugate verb Distinguish

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have distinguished

you would have distinguished

he/she/it would have distinguished

we would have distinguished

they would have distinguished

I would have distinguish

you would have distinguish

he/she/it would have distinguish

we would have distinguish

they would have distinguish

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been distinguishing

you would have been distinguishing

he/she/it would have been distinguishing

we would have been distinguishing

they would have been distinguishing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would distinguish

you would distinguish

he/she/it would distinguish

we would distinguish

they would distinguish

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be distinguishing

you would be distinguishing

he/she/it would be distinguishing

we would be distinguishing

they would be distinguishing

FUTURE

I will distinguish

you will distinguish

he/she/it will distinguish

we will distinguish

they will distinguish

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be distinguishing

you will be distinguishing

he/she/it will be distinguishing

we will be distinguishing

they will be distinguishing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have distinguished

you will have distinguished

he/she/it will have distinguished

we will have distinguished

they will have distinguished

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been distinguishing

you will have been distinguishing

he/she/it will have been distinguishing

we will have been distinguishing

they will have been distinguishing

IMPERATIVE

you distinguish

we let´s distinguish

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to distinguish

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was distinguishing

you were distinguishing

he/she/it was distinguishing

we were distinguishing

they were distinguishing

PAST PARTICIPLE

distinguished

PAST PERFECT

I had distinguished

you had distinguished

he/she/it had distinguished

we had distinguished

they had distinguished

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been distinguishing

you had been distinguishing

he/she/it had been distinguishing

we had been distinguishing

they had been distinguishing

PRESENT

I distinguish

you distinguish

he/she/it distinguishes

we distinguish

they distinguish

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am distinguishing

you are distinguishing

he/she/it is distinguishing

we are distinguishing

they are distinguishing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

distinguishing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have distinguished

you have distinguished

he/she/it has distinguished

we have distinguished

they have distinguished

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been distinguishing

you have been distinguishing

he/she/it has been distinguishing

we have been distinguishing

they have been distinguishing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it distinguish

SIMPLE PAST

I distinguished

you distinguished

he/she/it distinguished

we distinguished

they distinguished