Cool MateDistinguished vs Notable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Distinguished
FormalTop 3,000 (common)
Notable
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
Most formal: DistinguishedMost common: Notable
| Distinguished | Notable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪsˈtɪŋɡwɪʃt//🇺🇸 //dɪsˈtɪŋɡwɪʃt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnəʊtəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnəʊtəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Someone who is respected and admired for their achievements. | Something important or worth remembering. |
| Example | She is a distinguished professor known for her research. | a **notable success/achievement/example** |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | distinguished career, distinguished guest, distinguished service, distinguished scholar, distinguished reputation | be, especially, particularly, for |
| Antonyms | undistinguished, common, unremarkable, ordinary | insignificant, trivial, unremarkable |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'distinguishable' which refers to being able to identify something., Using in informal contexts where 'great' might suffice., Mispronouncing the word due to its length. | Confusing 'notable' with 'noteworthy' - they are similar but have different nuances., Using 'notable' as a verb instead of an adjective., Misplacing the adjective in a sentence, leading to awkward phrasing. |
| Usage notes | Used to describe people with notable achievements or qualities. Appropriate in formal contexts like awards or academic references, but less common in casual conversation. | Use 'notable' to emphasize importance or distinction, particularly in academic or formal contexts. It may not fit casual conversations where simpler words like 'important' may be more suitable. |
Frequently asked questions: Distinguished vs Notable
What's the difference between Distinguished and Notable?
Distinguished: Someone who is respected and admired for their achievements. Notable: Something important or worth remembering.
Which is more formal: Distinguished and Notable?
Distinguished is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Distinguished and Notable?
Notable is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Distinguished: She is a distinguished professor known for her research. Notable: a **notable success/achievement/example**
Can I use Distinguished and Notable interchangeably?
Not always. Distinguished and Notable are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.