French word

distinction

Pronunciation

IPA/distɛ̃ksjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine noundistinction

Example

Il faut faire une distinction entre le travail et la vie privée.

A distinction must be made between work and private life.

Illustration for distinction (distinction)

More examples

On doit faire une distinction entre critiques constructives et insultes.

We must make a distinction between constructive criticism and insults.

Core concept

A marked line shows what differs, while a mark of distinction shows that someone stands out.

Common phrases

  • faire une distinction entre

    make a distinction between

  • une distinction claire

    a clear distinction

  • sans distinction

    without distinction

Similar words

différence: The difference between two things.
nuance: A very slight or subtle difference.

Definition in French

Action de reconnaître ou de marquer une différence entre deux éléments ; sens secondaire désignant un mérite ou une élégance attribué à une personne.

Word origin

French distinction is a learned form from Latin distinctio, related to distinguere, and its core idea of marking apart extends to recognition and elegance.

Usage tips

  • In avoir de la distinction, distinction means refinement or elegance rather than a difference between two things.

Other meanings

  • honornoun
  • elegancenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word