Cool MateDistinguished vs Notable vs Renowned
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Distinguished
FormalTop 3,000 (common)
Notable
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
Renowned
FormalTop 3,000 (common)C1adjective
Most common: Notable
| Distinguished | Notable | Renowned | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪsˈtɪŋɡwɪʃt//🇺🇸 //dɪsˈtɪŋɡwɪʃt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnəʊtəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnəʊtəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈnaʊnd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈnaʊnd/"]/ |
| Meaning | Someone who is respected and admired for their achievements. | Something important or worth remembering. | Well-known and respected. |
| Example | She is a distinguished professor known for her research. | a **notable success/achievement/example** | a renowned author |
| Register | Formal | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | |
| Collocations | distinguished career, distinguished guest, distinguished service, distinguished scholar, distinguished reputation | be, especially, particularly, for | renowned author, renowned scientist, renowned artist, renowned for achievements, renowned institution |
| Antonyms | undistinguished, common, unremarkable, ordinary | insignificant, trivial, unremarkable | unknown, obscure |
| 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. | Confused with 'renown' (the noun form)., Using 'renowned' in informal situations., Mixing up 'renowned' with similar-sounding but incorrect words. |
| 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. | Use 'renowned' in formal contexts to describe someone or something that is famous and respected. It's not appropriate for casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Distinguished vs Notable vs Renowned
What's the difference between Distinguished, Notable, and Renowned?
Distinguished: Someone who is respected and admired for their achievements. Notable: Something important or worth remembering. Renowned: Well-known and respected.
Which is more common: Distinguished, Notable, and Renowned?
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** Renowned: a renowned author
Can I use Distinguished, Notable, and Renowned interchangeably?
Not always. Distinguished, Notable, and Renowned 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.