verb

distinguish

Translation

to differentiate, to recognize, to make out

It's hard to distinguish between the two twins.

He distinguished himself as a great leader.

I could just distinguish a figure in the darkness.

((sth.)) ((from sth.)) to tell the difference between two things. It's hard to distinguish the original from the copy.

((between A and B)) to recognize the difference between two things. Can you distinguish between the two sounds?

((oneself)) to do something so well that you are admired. He distinguished himself as a great leader.

Synonyms: differentiate, discern, tell apart; Antonyms: confuse, mix up

From Latin 'distinguere' (to separate between), from 'dis-' (apart) and 'stinguere' (to prick, mark).

Think of making things 'distinct' or separate. You put a mark on something to distinguish it from others.