Distinguishable

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: [dɪˈstɪŋ.ɡwɪ.ʃə.bl̩]

Definitions

1. Able to be recognized as different or distinct from something else
2. Capable of being identified as unique or separate in nature or appearance from other entities
3. Having the quality of being perceivable as distinct or different when compared to others

Etymology: "Distinguishable" is a plain compound of "distinguish" and the suffix "-able," so its interest lies in the verb it grows from. "Distinguish" came into English from Latin "distinguere," meaning to separate or mark off, built from "dis-" (apart) and "stinguere" (to prick or extinguish), a root that also gave English the word "distinct." The sense of "to separate by marks or features" is what the verb carried into English, and "distinguishable" follows it by describing things that can be told apart. The suffix "-able" has a longer journey. It descends from Latin "-bilis" and "-abilis," which attached to verbs to mean "capable of being" what the verb describes. It passed into English through Old French "-able," and English then attached it freely to native and borrowed verbs. Because of this, "distinguishable" joins a large family of words, such as "readable" and "breakable," that all share the sense of being open to the action named by the verb.

Synonyms: identifiable, recognizable, discernible, noticeable, perceptible

Antonyms: indistinguishable, invisible, unrecognizable, obscure, hidden