adjective

distinguished

dih-STIHNG-gwihsht

adjective

Well-known and respected because of notable achievements.

"A distinguished professor gave the keynote speech."

"He had a long and distinguished career in law."

Having a dignified, impressive appearance or manner.

"She had a distinguished air about her, even in casual clothes."

How to Use Distinguished

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishImpressive and respected — the kind of person or career people look up to.

Common pairings

distinguished career distinguished guest distinguished-looking

more distinguished comparative, most distinguished superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ professor gave the keynote speech.

The past-participle form of distinguish, used as an adjective from the sense of "having been marked out" for merit.

fished famished vanished polished punished finished banished cherished furnished published nourished anguished