Definition of distinction

"distinction" in the noun sense

1. differentiation, distinction

a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes

"it is necessary to make a distinction between love and infatuation"

2. eminence, distinction, preeminence, note

high status importance owing to marked superiority

"a scholar of great eminence"

3. distinction

a distinguishing difference between similar things or people

"he learned the distinction between gold and lead"

4. distinction

an honor awarded to someone in recognition of achievement or superiority

"she graduated with the highest distinction"

Source: WordNet® (An amazing lexical database of English)

Princeton University "About WordNet®."
WordNet®. Princeton University. 2010.


View WordNet® License

Quotations for distinction

No distinction is 'tween man and man.
But as his virtues add to him a glory
Or vices cloud him. [ Habbington ]

So plain is the distinction of our words,
That many have supposed it a spirit
That answers. [ Webster ]

To have to die is a distinction of which no man is proud. [ Alexander Smith ]

Distinction is the consequence, never the object, of a great mind. [ W. Allston ]

Beauty can afford to laugh at distinctions; it is itself the greatest distinction. [ Bovee ]

Not easily do those attain to distinction whose abilities are cramped by domestic poverty. [ Juv ]

A witty writer is like a porcupine; his quill makes no distinction between friend and foe. [ H. W. Shaw ]

Distinction is an eminence that is attained but too frequently at the expense of a fireside. [ Simms ]

The tomb is the pedestal of greatness. I make a distinction between God's great and the king's great. [ Landor ]

The reconciling grave swallows distinction first, that made us foes; there all lie down in peace together. [ Southern ]

The error of certain women is to imagine that, to acquire distinction, they must imitate the manners of men. [ J. de Maistre ]

In comparing men and books, one must always remember this important distinction, that one can put the books down at any time. [ N. P. Willis ]

It has always struck me that there is a far greater distinction between man and man than between many men and most other animals. [ Basil Hall ]

The first distinction among men, and the first consideration that gave one precedence over another, was doubtless the advantage of beauty. [ Montaigne ]

Between levity and cheerfulness there is a wide distinction; and the mind which is most open to levity is frequently a stranger to cheerfulness. [ Blair ]

God help us! it is a foolish little thing, this human life, at the best; and it is half ridiculous and half pitiful to see what importance we ascribe to it, and to its little ornaments and distinction? [ Jeffrey ]

Called to the throne by the voice of the people, my maxim has always been: A career open to talent without distinction of birth. It is this system of equality for which the European oligarchy detests me. [ Napoleon ]

Talent and worth are the only eternal grounds of distinction. To these the Almighty has affixed His everlasting patent of nobility. Knowledge and goodness, - these make degrees in heaven, and they must be the graduating scale of a true democracy. [ Miss Sedgwick ]

Ordinary or Common? A distinction may be thus drawn between these terms; what is common is done by many persons; what is ordinary is repeated many times. Ordinary has to do with the repetition of the act; common, with the persons who perform it. [ Pure English, Hackett And Girvin, 1884 ]

The one thing that marks the true artist is a clear perception and a firm, bold hand, in distinction from that imperfect mental vision and uncertain touch which give us the feeble pictures and the lumpy statues of the mere artisans on canvas or in stone. [ O. W. Holmes ]

Without distinction, without calculation, without procrastination, love. Lavish it upon the poor, where it is very easy; especially upon the rich, who often need it most; most of all upon our equals, where it is very difficult, and for whom perhaps we each do least of all. [ Henry Drummond ]

Portion or Part? The distinction between these words is usually unheeded. A portion is a part assigned, allotted, or set aside for a special purpose; part has a less limited meaning. Hence, we may say correctly:
In what part of the city do you live?
What portion of the estate do you inherit?. [ Pure English, Hackett And Girvin, 1884 ]

The motives of the best actions will not bear too strict an inquiry. It is allowed that the cause of most actions, good or bad, may be resolved into the love of ourselves; but the self-love of some men inclines them to please others, and the self-love of others is wholly employed in pleasing themselves. This makes the great distinction between virtue and vice. [ Swift ]

Throughout the pages of history we are struck with the fact that our remarkable men possessed mothers of uncommon talents for good or bad, and great energy of character; it would almost seem from this circumstance, that the impress of the mother is more frequently stamped on the boy, and that of the father upon the girl - we mean the mental intellectual impress, in distinction from the physical ones. Mothers will do well to remember that their impress is often stamped upon their sons. [ Helen Mar ]

distinction in Scrabble®

The word distinction is playable in Scrabble®, no blanks required. Because it is longer than 7 letters, you would have to play off an existing word or do it in several moves.

Scrabble® Letter Score: 14

Highest Scoring Scrabble® Plays In The Letters distinction:

DISTINCTION
(135)
DISTINCTION
(135)

Seven Letter Word Alert: (4 words)

diction, iconist, idiotic, indicts

 

All Scrabble® Plays For The Word distinction

DISTINCTION
(135)
DISTINCTION
(135)
DISTINCTION
(90)
DISTINCTION
(90)
DISTINCTION
(72)
DISTINCTION
(68)
DISTINCTION
(60)
DISTINCTION
(60)
DISTINCTION
(56)
DISTINCTION
(56)
DISTINCTION
(56)
DISTINCTION
(56)
DISTINCTION
(56)
DISTINCTION
(51)
DISTINCTION
(48)
DISTINCTION
(48)
DISTINCTION
(44)
DISTINCTION
(36)
DISTINCTION
(36)
DISTINCTION
(36)
DISTINCTION
(36)
DISTINCTION
(34)
DISTINCTION
(34)
DISTINCTION
(32)
DISTINCTION
(32)
DISTINCTION
(32)
DISTINCTION
(32)
DISTINCTION
(32)
DISTINCTION
(32)
DISTINCTION
(24)
DISTINCTION
(22)
DISTINCTION
(21)
DISTINCTION
(20)
DISTINCTION
(19)
DISTINCTION
(18)
DISTINCTION
(17)
DISTINCTION
(17)
DISTINCTION
(17)

The 200 Highest Scoring Scrabble® Plays For Words Using The Letters In distinction

DISTINCTION
(135)
DISTINCTION
(135)
IDIOTIC
(90 = 40 + 50)
DISTINCTION
(90)
INDICTS
(90 = 40 + 50)
DICTION
(90 = 40 + 50)
DISTINCTION
(90)
DICTION
(89 = 39 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(89 = 39 + 50)
INDICTS
(89 = 39 + 50)
ICONIST
(86 = 36 + 50)
INDICTS
(86 = 36 + 50)
ICONIST
(86 = 36 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(86 = 36 + 50)
DICTION
(86 = 36 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(83 = 33 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(83 = 33 + 50)
DICTION
(83 = 33 + 50)
DICTION
(83 = 33 + 50)
INDICTS
(83 = 33 + 50)
DICTION
(83 = 33 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(83 = 33 + 50)
DICTION
(83 = 33 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(83 = 33 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(83 = 33 + 50)
DICTION
(83 = 33 + 50)
DICTION
(83 = 33 + 50)
INDICTS
(83 = 33 + 50)
INDICTS
(83 = 33 + 50)
INDICTS
(83 = 33 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(83 = 33 + 50)
INDICTS
(83 = 33 + 50)
INDICTS
(83 = 33 + 50)
DICTION
(82 = 32 + 50)
INDICTS
(82 = 32 + 50)
ICONIST
(80 = 30 + 50)
ICONIST
(80 = 30 + 50)
ICONIST
(80 = 30 + 50)
INDICTS
(80 = 30 + 50)
ICONIST
(80 = 30 + 50)
ICONIST
(80 = 30 + 50)
ICONIST
(80 = 30 + 50)
DICTION
(80 = 30 + 50)
DICTION
(80 = 30 + 50)
ICONIST
(80 = 30 + 50)
ICONIST
(80 = 30 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(80 = 30 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(78 = 28 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(78 = 28 + 50)
INDICTS
(78 = 28 + 50)
INDICTS
(78 = 28 + 50)
ICONIST
(77 = 27 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(76 = 26 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(76 = 26 + 50)
DICTION
(76 = 26 + 50)
INDICTS
(76 = 26 + 50)
INDICTS
(76 = 26 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(74 = 24 + 50)
INDICTS
(74 = 24 + 50)
DICTION
(74 = 24 + 50)
DICTION
(74 = 24 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(74 = 24 + 50)
DICTION
(74 = 24 + 50)
DICTION
(74 = 24 + 50)
DICTION
(74 = 24 + 50)
INDICTS
(74 = 24 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(74 = 24 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(74 = 24 + 50)
DICTION
(74 = 24 + 50)
INDICTS
(74 = 24 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(74 = 24 + 50)
ICONIST
(74 = 24 + 50)
DICTION
(72 = 22 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(72 = 22 + 50)
ICONIST
(72 = 22 + 50)
DICTION
(72 = 22 + 50)
DICTION
(72 = 22 + 50)
DICTION
(72 = 22 + 50)
DICTION
(72 = 22 + 50)
ICONIST
(72 = 22 + 50)
ICONIST
(72 = 22 + 50)
ICONIST
(72 = 22 + 50)
INDICTS
(72 = 22 + 50)
INDICTS
(72 = 22 + 50)
INDICTS
(72 = 22 + 50)
INDICTS
(72 = 22 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(72 = 22 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(72 = 22 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(72 = 22 + 50)
INDICTS
(72 = 22 + 50)
INDICTS
(72 = 22 + 50)
ICONIST
(72 = 22 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(72 = 22 + 50)
DISTINCTION
(72)
INDICTS
(70 = 20 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(70 = 20 + 50)
DICTION
(70 = 20 + 50)
ICONIST
(70 = 20 + 50)
ICONIST
(70 = 20 + 50)
DICTION
(70 = 20 + 50)
ICONIST
(70 = 20 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(70 = 20 + 50)
ICONIST
(70 = 20 + 50)
INDICTS
(70 = 20 + 50)
INDICTS
(70 = 20 + 50)
DICTION
(70 = 20 + 50)
INDICTS
(70 = 20 + 50)
INDICTS
(70 = 20 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(70 = 20 + 50)
DICTION
(70 = 20 + 50)
ICONIST
(70 = 20 + 50)
ICONIST
(70 = 20 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(70 = 20 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(70 = 20 + 50)
ICONIST
(70 = 20 + 50)
DICTION
(70 = 20 + 50)
DISTINCTION
(68)
ICONIST
(68 = 18 + 50)
ICONIST
(68 = 18 + 50)
ICONIST
(68 = 18 + 50)
DICTION
(68 = 18 + 50)
ICONIST
(68 = 18 + 50)
INDICTS
(68 = 18 + 50)
ICONIST
(68 = 18 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(68 = 18 + 50)
ICONIST
(67 = 17 + 50)
DICTION
(66 = 16 + 50)
INDICTS
(66 = 16 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(66 = 16 + 50)
DICTION
(66 = 16 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(65 = 15 + 50)
INDICTS
(65 = 15 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(65 = 15 + 50)
INDICTS
(65 = 15 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(64 = 14 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(64 = 14 + 50)
INDICTS
(64 = 14 + 50)
DICTION
(64 = 14 + 50)
DICTION
(64 = 14 + 50)
DICTION
(64 = 14 + 50)
INDICTS
(64 = 14 + 50)
INDICTS
(64 = 14 + 50)
DICTION
(64 = 14 + 50)
ICONIST
(63 = 13 + 50)
INDICTS
(63 = 13 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(63 = 13 + 50)
ICONIST
(63 = 13 + 50)
DICTION
(63 = 13 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(63 = 13 + 50)
ICONIST
(63 = 13 + 50)
ICONIST
(63 = 13 + 50)
INDICTS
(62 = 12 + 50)
DICTION
(62 = 12 + 50)
DICTION
(62 = 12 + 50)
ICONIST
(62 = 12 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(62 = 12 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(62 = 12 + 50)
DICTION
(62 = 12 + 50)
ICONIST
(62 = 12 + 50)
INDICTS
(62 = 12 + 50)
INDICTS
(62 = 12 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(62 = 12 + 50)
DICTION
(62 = 12 + 50)
INDICTS
(62 = 12 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(62 = 12 + 50)
ICONIST
(61 = 11 + 50)
ICONIST
(61 = 11 + 50)
ICONIST
(61 = 11 + 50)
IDIOTIC
(61 = 11 + 50)
INDICTS
(61 = 11 + 50)
DICTION
(61 = 11 + 50)
ICONIST
(61 = 11 + 50)
ICONIST
(61 = 11 + 50)
DISTINCTION
(60)
ICONIST
(60 = 10 + 50)
DISTINCTION
(60)
DISTINCTION
(56)
DISTINCTION
(56)
DISTINCTION
(56)
DISTINCTION
(56)
DISTINCTION
(56)
DISTINCTION
(51)
DISTINCTION
(48)
DISTINCTION
(48)
DISTINCTION
(44)
DISTINCTION
(36)
INDICT
(36)
DICOTS
(36)
DISTINCTION
(36)
DISTINCTION
(36)
DISTINCTION
(36)
DISTINCTION
(34)
DISTINCTION
(34)
IODIC
(33)
DICOTS
(33)
INDICT
(33)
TOCSIN
(33)
DISCO
(33)
SODIC
(33)
TONICS
(33)

distinction in Words With Friends™

The word distinction is playable in Words With Friends™, no blanks required. Because it is longer than 7 letters, you would have to play off an existing word or do it in several moves.

Words With Friends™ Letter Score: 17

Highest Scoring Words With Friends™ Play In The Letters distinction:

DISTINCTION
(243)

Seven Letter Word Alert: (4 words)

diction, iconist, idiotic, indicts

 

All Words With Friends™ Plays For The Word distinction

DISTINCTION
(243)
DISTINCTION
(207)
DISTINCTION
(207)
DISTINCTION
(114)
DISTINCTION
(114)
DISTINCTION
(84)
DISTINCTION
(81)
DISTINCTION
(72)
DISTINCTION
(72)
DISTINCTION
(72)
DISTINCTION
(72)
DISTINCTION
(68)
DISTINCTION
(68)
DISTINCTION
(68)
DISTINCTION
(63)
DISTINCTION
(54)
DISTINCTION
(46)
DISTINCTION
(46)
DISTINCTION
(46)
DISTINCTION
(46)
DISTINCTION
(42)
DISTINCTION
(42)
DISTINCTION
(34)
DISTINCTION
(34)
DISTINCTION
(27)
DISTINCTION
(26)
DISTINCTION
(24)
DISTINCTION
(24)
DISTINCTION
(23)
DISTINCTION
(21)
DISTINCTION
(21)
DISTINCTION
(21)
DISTINCTION
(21)
DISTINCTION
(21)
DISTINCTION
(21)
DISTINCTION
(20)
DISTINCTION
(19)
DISTINCTION
(19)
DISTINCTION
(19)

The 200 Highest Scoring Words With Friends™ Plays Using The Letters In distinction

DISTINCTION
(243)
DISTINCTION
(207)
DISTINCTION
(207)
DISTINCTION
(114)
DISTINCTION
(114)
DICTION
(107 = 72 + 35)
ICONIST
(104 = 69 + 35)
INDICTS
(101 = 66 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(98 = 63 + 35)
ICONIST
(92 = 57 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(92 = 57 + 35)
INDICTS
(89 = 54 + 35)
DICTION
(89 = 54 + 35)
INDICTS
(89 = 54 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(86 = 51 + 35)
ICONIST
(86 = 51 + 35)
DISTINCTION
(84)
INDICTS
(83 = 48 + 35)
INDICTS
(83 = 48 + 35)
DICTION
(83 = 48 + 35)
DICTION
(83 = 48 + 35)
DICTION
(83 = 48 + 35)
INDICTS
(83 = 48 + 35)
INDICTS
(83 = 48 + 35)
DICTION
(83 = 48 + 35)
INDICTS
(83 = 48 + 35)
DICTION
(83 = 48 + 35)
DICTION
(83 = 48 + 35)
DICTION
(83 = 48 + 35)
DISTINCTION
(81)
IDIOTIC
(80 = 45 + 35)
ICONIST
(80 = 45 + 35)
ICONIST
(80 = 45 + 35)
ICONIST
(80 = 45 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(80 = 45 + 35)
ICONIST
(80 = 45 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(80 = 45 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(79 = 44 + 35)
ICONIST
(79 = 44 + 35)
ICONIST
(79 = 44 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(79 = 44 + 35)
ICONIST
(79 = 44 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(79 = 44 + 35)
DICTION
(77 = 42 + 35)
DICTION
(77 = 42 + 35)
INDICTS
(77 = 42 + 35)
INDICTS
(77 = 42 + 35)
DICTION
(77 = 42 + 35)
INDICTS
(77 = 42 + 35)
DICTION
(77 = 42 + 35)
INDICTS
(77 = 42 + 35)
INDICTS
(77 = 42 + 35)
INDICTS
(75 = 40 + 35)
DICTION
(75 = 40 + 35)
ICONIST
(74 = 39 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(74 = 39 + 35)
ICONIST
(74 = 39 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(74 = 39 + 35)
ICONIST
(74 = 39 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(74 = 39 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(74 = 39 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(73 = 38 + 35)
ICONIST
(73 = 38 + 35)
DISTINCTION
(72)
DISTINCTION
(72)
DISTINCTION
(72)
DISTINCTION
(72)
DISTINCTION
(68)
DISTINCTION
(68)
DISTINCTION
(68)
DICTION
(67 = 32 + 35)
DICTION
(67 = 32 + 35)
INDICTS
(67 = 32 + 35)
DICTION
(67 = 32 + 35)
INDICTS
(67 = 32 + 35)
INDICTS
(67 = 32 + 35)
DICOTS
(66)
IDIOTIC
(65 = 30 + 35)
ICONIST
(65 = 30 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(65 = 30 + 35)
DISTINCTION
(63)
DICTION
(63 = 28 + 35)
DICTION
(63 = 28 + 35)
DICTION
(63 = 28 + 35)
INDICTS
(63 = 28 + 35)
DICTION
(63 = 28 + 35)
INDICTS
(63 = 28 + 35)
INDICTS
(63 = 28 + 35)
INDICTS
(63 = 28 + 35)
DICTION
(63 = 28 + 35)
INDICTS
(63 = 28 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(61 = 26 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(61 = 26 + 35)
DICTION
(61 = 26 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(61 = 26 + 35)
INDICTS
(61 = 26 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(61 = 26 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(61 = 26 + 35)
ICONIST
(61 = 26 + 35)
DICTION
(61 = 26 + 35)
INDICTS
(61 = 26 + 35)
ICONIST
(61 = 26 + 35)
DICTION
(61 = 26 + 35)
ICONIST
(61 = 26 + 35)
ICONIST
(61 = 26 + 35)
ICONIST
(61 = 26 + 35)
INDICTS
(61 = 26 + 35)
TOCSIN
(60)
DICTION
(59 = 24 + 35)
DICTION
(59 = 24 + 35)
ICONIST
(59 = 24 + 35)
INDICTS
(59 = 24 + 35)
ICONIST
(59 = 24 + 35)
INDICTS
(59 = 24 + 35)
INDICTS
(59 = 24 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(59 = 24 + 35)
DICTION
(59 = 24 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(59 = 24 + 35)
INDICTS
(59 = 24 + 35)
DICTION
(59 = 24 + 35)
DICTION
(59 = 24 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(59 = 24 + 35)
INDICTS
(59 = 24 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(59 = 24 + 35)
INDICTS
(59 = 24 + 35)
DICTION
(59 = 24 + 35)
ICONIST
(59 = 24 + 35)
DICTION
(59 = 24 + 35)
ICONIST
(59 = 24 + 35)
INDICTS
(59 = 24 + 35)
DICTION
(59 = 24 + 35)
ICONIST
(59 = 24 + 35)
INDICTS
(59 = 24 + 35)
INDICT
(57)
IDIOTIC
(57 = 22 + 35)
ICONIST
(57 = 22 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(57 = 22 + 35)
ICONIST
(57 = 22 + 35)
ICONIST
(57 = 22 + 35)
ICONIST
(57 = 22 + 35)
ICONIST
(57 = 22 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(57 = 22 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(57 = 22 + 35)
INDICTS
(57 = 22 + 35)
DICTION
(57 = 22 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(57 = 22 + 35)
ICONIST
(57 = 22 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(57 = 22 + 35)
ICONIST
(57 = 22 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(57 = 22 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(56 = 21 + 35)
ICONIST
(56 = 21 + 35)
DICTION
(55 = 20 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(55 = 20 + 35)
DICTION
(55 = 20 + 35)
TONICS
(54)
DISTINCTION
(54)
TOCSIN
(54)
DICOTS
(54)
INDICTS
(53 = 18 + 35)
INDICTS
(53 = 18 + 35)
INDICTS
(53 = 18 + 35)
INDICTS
(53 = 18 + 35)
INDICTS
(53 = 18 + 35)
DICTION
(53 = 18 + 35)
DICTION
(53 = 18 + 35)
INDICTS
(53 = 18 + 35)
DICTION
(52 = 17 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(52 = 17 + 35)
INDICTS
(52 = 17 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(52 = 17 + 35)
DICTION
(52 = 17 + 35)
DICTION
(52 = 17 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(52 = 17 + 35)
ICONIST
(52 = 17 + 35)
DICTION
(52 = 17 + 35)
DICTION
(51 = 16 + 35)
INDICTS
(51 = 16 + 35)
IODIC
(51)
ICONS
(51)
DICTION
(51 = 16 + 35)
IONIC
(51)
TONIC
(51)
SODIC
(51)
DISCO
(51)
DICTION
(51 = 16 + 35)
INDICTS
(51 = 16 + 35)
ONTIC
(51)
SONIC
(51)
INDICT
(51)
ICONIST
(51 = 16 + 35)
SCION
(51)
ICONIST
(51 = 16 + 35)
COINS
(51)
IDIOTIC
(51 = 16 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(51 = 16 + 35)
IDIOTIC
(51 = 16 + 35)
INDICTS
(51 = 16 + 35)
ICONIST
(50 = 15 + 35)
INDICTS
(50 = 15 + 35)

Words within the letters of distinction

2 letter words in distinction (10 words)

6 letter words in distinction (9 words)

7 letter words in distinction (4 words)

8 letter words in distinction (3 words)

9 letter words in distinction (1 word)

10 letter words in distinction (2 words)

11 letter words in distinction (1 word)

distinction + 1 blank (1 word)

distinction + 2 blanks (2 words)

Words containing the sequence distinction

Words that start with distinction (3 words)

Words with distinction in them (1 word)

Words that end with distinction (2 words)

Word Growth involving distinction

Shorter words in distinction

is distinct

in tin distinct

on ion

Longer words containing distinction

contradistinction

distinctionless

distinctions