English pronunciation · Words Starting with D

Distinguished Pronunciation

Distinguished is pronounced di-STING-gwisht, IPA /dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃt/.

di-STING-gwisht

US /dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃt/  ·  UK /dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃt/

Syllables: di · STING · gwisht (3 syllables, stress on syllable 2)

adjective; also verb (past of distinguish): Respected and well known for achievement, or having a dignified look.

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Distinguished in a Sentence

  • A distinguished historian opened the conference.
  • He has grown a distinguished grey beard.
  • The award goes to a distinguished career rather than a single book.

Common Mispronunciations of Distinguished

Not di-STING-gwish-ed

The -ed is a plain t here, so the word ends in a single burst: gwisht. English only makes -ed its own syllable after t or d.

Not di-STIN-gwisht

The n before gu is the ng of sing, and a hard g follows it. Both sounds are there: STING-gw.

Tip: The gu spelling is a gw sound, as in language and anguish.

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