Meaning & Definition of Distinct in English

1. (often followed by `from') not alike

• Different in nature or quality

• "Plants of several distinct types"

• "The word `nationalism' is used in at least two distinct senses"

• "Gold is distinct from iron"

• "A tree related to but quite distinct from the european beech"

• "Management had interests quite distinct from those of their employees"

2. Easy to perceive

• Especially clearly outlined

• "A distinct flavor"

• "A distinct odor of turpentine"

• "A distinct outline"

• "The ship appeared as a distinct silhouette"

• "Distinct fingerprints"

3. Constituting a separate entity or part

• "A government with three discrete divisions"

• "On two distinct occasions"

4. Recognizable

• Marked

• "Noticed a distinct improvement"

• "At a distinct (or decided) disadvantage"

5. Clearly or sharply defined to the mind

• "Clear-cut evidence of tampering"

• "Claudius was the first to invade britain with distinct...intentions of conquest"

• "Trenchant distinctions between right and wrong"