1recognizably different in nature from something else of a similar type:the patterns of spoken language are distinct from those of writingthere are two distinct types of sickle cell disease
physically separate:the gallery is divided into five distinct spaces
2readily distinguishable by the senses:a distinct smell of nicotine
[attributive] (used for emphasis) so clearly apparent to the mind as to be unmistakable; definite:he got the distinct impression that Melissa wasn’t best pleased
