distinct
/dɪˈstɪŋkt/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈstɪŋkt/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈstiŋ(k)t/ (ame, mw)
distinct — adjective
- distinctpositive
- more distinctcomparative
- most distinctsuperlative
1. If something such as a sound, smell, change, or possibility is distinct, it is s
If something such as a sound, smell, change, or possibility is distinct, it is strong and clear enough for you to be sure that it is really there.
The librarian noticed a distinct smell of old paper in the reading room.
collocation: distinct smell / distinct sound / distinct change
There is a distinct possibility that the train will arrive late today.
collocation: distinct possibility
After the storm, the sky showed a distinct band of orange light near the hills.
Dr. Okafor heard a distinct change in the patient's breathing during the night.
The photograph revealed a distinct crack running from one edge to the other.
- clear
more general and everyday; 'a clear voice'
- noticeable
focuses on being easily seen or heard
- definite
emphasises certainty rather than sensory clarity
- pronounced
suggests a stronger or more obvious quality, slightly more formal
- indistinct
the direct opposite; hard to see, hear, or make out
- vague
not clear in shape, meaning, or detail
- faint
weak in strength, especially of sounds, smells, or marks
文法句型
distinct + noun
be + distinct
用法筆記
Commonly appears before nouns such as 'possibility', 'smell', 'sound', 'change', 'improvement', and 'advantage'. The adjective emphasises that the quality is clearly present — not vague, slight, or uncertain.
常見錯誤
2. When people or things are distinct from each other, they belong to separate grou
When people or things are distinct from each other, they belong to separate groups or types and are not the same in important ways.
The two companies operate in distinct markets with completely different customers.
grammar: distinct + plural noun describing separate categories
Leila kept her savings in a distinct account from her everyday spending money.
pattern: distinct from [something] to show separation
Each culture has its own distinct traditions that visitors should respect.
The biologist explained that these are three distinct species of butterfly.
For Yusuf, his design work is distinct from his team leader role.
- different
the most general word; simply means 'not the same'
- separate
emphasises physical or organisational apartness
- individual
focuses on each thing's unique identity within a group
- discrete
formal; describes things that are individually separate and distinct as units
文法句型
distinct from + noun phrase
distinct + plural noun
用法筆記
Followed by 'from' when you want to specify what something is separate from. Frequently appears before plural nouns: 'two distinct types', 'several distinct groups', 'three distinct categories'. In academic or formal writing, 'distinct' is stronger than 'different' — it emphasises that the separation is clear and not open to debate.
常見錯誤
3. The expression 'as distinct from' is used when you want to draw a clear line bet
The expression 'as distinct from' is used when you want to draw a clear line between two things you are comparing, showing that you are talking about the first rather than the second.
The course covers modern art, as distinct from the classical styles taught elsewhere.
fixed phrase: as distinct from + noun phrase introducing a contrast
Quinn wanted to discuss the film's story, as distinct from the special effects.
We need to examine service quality, as distinct from delivery speed.
The judge asked about the man's intentions, as distinct from his actual actions.
- rather than
more common and less formal; works in the same contrastive structure
- as opposed to
similar formality; emphasises direct opposition
- instead of
more general; suggests replacement rather than comparison
- same as
indicates equivalence rather than contrast
- equivalent to
formal; suggests equal value or meaning
文法句型
[clause], as distinct from + noun phrase
用法筆記
Always appears in the fixed expression 'as distinct from,' which introduces a contrasting item immediately after a comma. Never used without the preceding 'as'. This sense is common in academic, legal, and analytical writing where precise comparison is needed.