/ dɪˈstɪŋkt; NAmE / adjective
1.
easily or clearly heard, seen, felt, etc. :
There was a distinct smell of gas.
His voice was quiet but every word was distinct.
2.
distinct (from sth) clearly different or of a different kind :
The results of the survey fell into two distinct groups.
Jamaican reggae music is quite distinct from North American jazz or blues.
rural areas, as distinct from major cities
3.
[ only before noun ] used to emphasize that you think an idea or situation definitely exists and is important
SYN definite :
Being tall gave Tony a distinct advantage.
I had the distinct impression I was being watched.
A strike is now a distinct possibility.
► dis·tinct·ly adverb :
I distinctly heard someone calling me.
a distinctly Australian accent
He could remember everything very distinctly.
► dis·tinct·ness noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense differentiated ): from Latin distinctus separated, distinguished, from the verb distinguere , from dis- apart + stinguere put out.