How to pronounce distinction
Say it like dih-STINGK-shun. Distinction has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STINGK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce distinction. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- STINGK
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Distinction pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- STINGKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of distinction
American and British speakers say distinction in essentially the same way: /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/ in the US and /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-STINGK-shun.
What does distinction mean?
- 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”
- high status importance owing to marked superiority“a scholar of great eminence”
- a distinguishing difference between similar things or people“he learned the distinction between gold and lead”
Where does distinction come from?
From Middle English distinccioun, from Old French distinction (attested from the 12th century), borrowed from Latin distinctiōnem, action noun of distinguō (“separate, distinguish”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with distinction
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of distinction.
Questions about saying distinction
How do you pronounce distinction?
Say dih-STINGK-shun. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/. In British English it is /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in distinction?
Distinction has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STINGK). Broken into parts: dih · STINGK · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say distinction the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/ and the British form is /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.