dis·tin·guish 
/dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃ/ verb
dis·tin·guish·es; dis·tin·guished; dis·tin·guish·ing /dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃ/ verb 1 : to notice or recognize a difference between people or things [no obj] ▪ You're old enough to distinguish between fact and fantasy. ▪ I have trouble distinguishing between the two of them. [+ obj] ▪ Their voices are hard to distinguish. [=tell apart] ▪ I have trouble distinguishing the difference between the two of them. ▪ You should be able to distinguish fact from fantasy. 2 not used in progressive tenses [+ obj] : to make (someone or something) different or special in some way
▪ The only thing that distinguishes the dogs is their bark. ▪ The recipe is distinguished by its simplicity. [=the unusual or interesting thing about the recipe is its simplicity] ▪ The singer's voice is what distinguishes the band. — often + from ▪ Our excellent customer service distinguishes us from our competitors. ▪ The law affects private property as distinguished from public property. [=the law affects private property and not public property] 3 not used in progressive tenses [+ obj] : to see or hear (someone or something) clearly
▪ You can't distinguish the detail from this distance.
▪ The only thing that distinguishes the dogs is their bark. ▪ The recipe is distinguished by its simplicity. [=the unusual or interesting thing about the recipe is its simplicity] ▪ The singer's voice is what distinguishes the band. — often + from ▪ Our excellent customer service distinguishes us from our competitors. ▪ The law affects private property as distinguished from public property. [=the law affects private property and not public property]
▪ You can't distinguish the detail from this distance.
distinguish yourself
: to do something very well or in a way that deserves special recognition
▪ She has distinguished herself as a leader in the community. ▪ He distinguished himself in the war.
▪ She has distinguished herself as a leader in the community. ▪ He distinguished himself in the war.
— dis·tin·guish·able /dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃəbə/ adjective [more distinguishable; most distinguishable]
▪ The plant is distinguishable by its oddly shaped leaves. ▪ There are four distinguishable types. ▪ The copy is clearly/barely distinguishable from the original.
/dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃəbə/ adjective [more distinguishable; most distinguishable] ▪ The plant is distinguishable by its oddly shaped leaves. ▪ There are four distinguishable types. ▪ The copy is clearly/barely distinguishable from the original.
— distinguishing adjective [more distinguishing; most distinguishing]
▪ The plant has several distinguishing characteristics/features.
▪ The plant has several distinguishing characteristics/features.
