distinctly
gb/dɪstˈɪŋktli/ us/dɪstˈɪŋktli/
B1
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
clearly and noticeably
In a way that is easy to see, hear, or understand.
Usage pattern:
to [verb] distinctly
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'distinctly' with 'distinct', which is an adjective, not an adverb.
Synonyms
clearly (A broader and more common term for being easy to perceive or understand.)
Antonyms
vaguely (Means unclearly or in a way that is hard to perceive.)
Collocations
speak distinctly
|distinctly remember
|distinctly different
|distinctly heard
Themes
communication
|perception
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She spoke distinctly so everyone could understand.
- I distinctly remember locking the door.
- The two flavors are distinctly different.
- He was distinctly aware of being watched.
Learner examples
- She spoke distinctly to the class.
- I distinctly remember your face.
- The voices were distinctly different.
- I distinctly heard the phone ring.
adverb
B2
property
2
very; noticeably so
Used to show that something is very clear, strong, or obvious.
Usage pattern:
distinctly [adjective]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with 'clearly different' rather than 'very much'. Context helps determine the meaning.
Synonyms
decidedly (Adds a sense of firmness or certainty to the emphasis.)
Antonyms
slightly (Indicates only a small amount instead of a strong degree.)
Collocations
distinctly uncomfortable
|distinctly odd
|distinctly possible
Themes
emphasis
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She looked distinctly uncomfortable during the meeting.
- The weather today is distinctly warmer than yesterday.
- He sounded distinctly annoyed on the phone.
Learner examples
- He was distinctly angry at me.
- The soup tastes distinctly salty.
- It is distinctly colder today.
Grammar
Dictionary form
distinctly
IPA
GB/dɪstˈɪŋktli/
US/dɪstˈɪŋktli/
Syllables & stress
dis - tinctly (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tinctly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: distinctly
- Plural: distinctlies
Word family
Forms
distinctlies
noun
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
distinctiveness
noun
distinctness
noun
Expressions
distinctly different
1/dɪstˈɪŋktli dˈɪfɹənt/
fixed phrase
clearly not the same
Clearly not like something else; easy to see as different.
Examples
- The two proposals are distinctly different in their approach.
- These two colors are distinctly different shades.
distinctly remember
1/dɪstˈɪŋktli ɹɪmˈɛmbɚ/
fixed phrase
remember something clearly
To remember something in a clear and certain way.
Examples
- I distinctly remember the first time we met.
- She distinctly remembers hearing her name called.