Distinction vs. Honors — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 22, 2023
Distinction refers to a mark of excellence in academic, professional, or personal achievements. Honors is a formal recognition of outstanding academic performance, often requiring a specific GPA or notable contributions.
Difference Between Distinction and Honors
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Distinction is a term that is often used in academic and non-academic contexts to signify a level of excellence or differentiation from the norm. Honors, on the other hand, is usually an academic term referring to a level of study or achievement that is considered above average.
Distinction can refer to achievements in multiple fields including arts, sciences, and humanities. Honors generally pertains to scholastic achievements and may involve completing additional coursework, maintaining a high GPA, or other academic criteria.
While distinction is often given based on individual merits or attributes, honors usually follow a more structured, criteria-based approach. For example, graduating "with distinction" might be based on a portfolio review, while graduating "with honors" usually requires meeting specific academic benchmarks.
In some educational systems, both terms may be used simultaneously. A student might graduate "with honors" for maintaining a high GPA, while also receiving a "distinction" for an exceptional thesis. It's crucial to understand the specific criteria or guidelines that define each term within a particular institution or context.
Distinction and honors both serve to acknowledge exceptional work, but the scope and criteria can vary greatly. Distinction is often broader in its applicability, whereas honors usually refers specifically to academic excellence and may come with additional responsibilities or prerequisites.
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Comparison Chart
Scope
Broader (academic and non-academic)
Primarily academic
Criteria
May be subjective or specific
Often follows established academic criteria
Fields of Application
Arts, sciences, humanities, etc.
Academic subjects
Recognition
Individual merits or attributes
Structured, criteria-based
Use in Academia
May or may not require specific academic criteria
Usually requires specific academic benchmarks
Compare with Definitions
Distinction
A characteristic that differentiates.
The distinction between right and wrong is clear.
Honors
A special distinction for service or achievement.
The scientist received honors from the community.
Distinction
A specific grade or level of academic achievement.
She achieved a first-class distinction in her studies.
Honors
A higher level of academic study.
She is in the honors program.
Distinction
Special honor or recognition.
The officer was awarded a distinction for bravery.
Honors
A ceremonial award for achievement.
He received military honors.
Distinction
A noteworthy achievement in academia.
He graduated with distinction.
Honors
A title conferred for distinction.
The honorary degree was a significant honor.
Distinction
The act of distinguishing; differentiation
Economists making an ongoing distinction between domestic and foreign markets.
Honors
High respect, as that shown for special merit; recognition or esteem
The honor shown to a Nobel laureate.
The place of honor at the table.
Distinction
The condition or fact of being dissimilar or distinct; difference
"the crucial distinction between education and indoctrination" (A. Bartlett Giamatti).
Honors
Great privilege
I have the honor of presenting the governor.
Distinction
A distinguishing factor, attribute, or characteristic
A legal system blind to distinctions of race, gender, and class.
Honors
Good name; reputation
I must defend my honor.
Distinction
Excellence or eminence, as of performance, character, or reputation
A diplomat of distinction.
Honors
A source or cause of credit
Was an honor to the profession.
Distinction
A special quality or accomplishment conferring uniqueness or honor
Has the distinction of being the tallest in his class.
Honors
A mark, token, or gesture of respect or distinction, such as a military decoration.
Distinction
Recognition of achievement or superiority; honor
Graduated with distinction.
Honors
Public acts or ceremonies showing respect
Was buried with full honors.
Distinction
An award or honor given to someone for outstanding achievement
Won many distinctions while in the military.
Honors
Special recognition for unusual academic achievement
Graduated with honors.
Distinction
That which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination.
Honors
A program of advanced study for exceptional students
Planned to take honors in history.
Distinction
The act of distinguishing, discriminating; discrimination.
There is a distinction to be made between resting and slacking.
Honors
Social courtesies offered to guests
Did the honors at tea.
Distinction
Specifically, a feature that causes someone or something to stand out as being better; a mark of honour, rank, eminence or excellence; being distinguished.
She had the distinction of meeting the Queen.
Honors
High rank
Assumed the honor of kingship.
Distinction
A marking off by visible signs; separation into parts; division.
The distinction of tragedy into acts was not known.
Honors
Honor Used with His, Her, or Your as a title and form of address for certain officials, such as judges and the mayors of certain cities
Her Honor, Judge Jones.
Distinction
The act of distinguishing or denoting the differences between objects, or the qualities by which one is known from others; exercise of discernment; discrimination.
To take away therefore that error, which confusion breedeth, distinction is requisite.
Honors
A sense of principled uprightness of character; personal integrity
Conducted herself with honor.
Saw the challenge as a matter of honor.
Distinction
That which distinguishes one thing from another; distinguishing quality; sharply defined difference; as, the distinction between real and apparent good.
The distinction betwixt the animal kingdom and the inferior parts of matter.
Honors
A code of integrity, dignity, and pride, chiefly among men, that was maintained in some societies, as in feudal Europe, by force of arms.
Distinction
Estimation of difference; regard to differences or distinguishing circumstance.
Maids, women, wives, without distinction, fall.
Honors
A woman's chastity or reputation for chastity.
Distinction
Conspicuous station; eminence; superiority; honorable estimation; as, a man of distinction.
Your country's own means of distinction and defense.
Honors
(Sports) The right of being first at the tee in golf.
Distinction
A discrimination between things as different and distinct;
It is necessary to make a distinction between love and infatuation
Honors
Any of the four or five highest cards, especially the ace, king, queen, jack, and ten of the trump suit, in card games such as bridge or whist.
Distinction
High status importance owing to marked superiority;
A scholar of great eminence
Honors
Often honors The points allotted to these cards.
Distinction
A distinguishing quality;
It has the distinction of being the cheapest restaurant in town
Honors
To hold in respect; esteem
A researcher who is highly honored for her work.
Distinction
A distinguishing difference;
He learned the distinction between gold and lead
Honors
To show respect for
Honored the volunteers with a party.
Distinction
A mark of excellence in any field.
She received a distinction in her piano exam.
Honors
To confer distinction on
He has honored us with his presence.
Honors
To bow to (another dancer) in square dancing
Honor your partner.
Honors
To accept or pay as valid
Honor a check.
A store that honors all credit cards.
Honors
Plural of honor
Honors
At an excelling level in academics.
I'm taking honors math this year.
Your kid may be an honors student, but you're still an idiot.
Honors
A recognition of academic excellence.
He graduated with honors.
Common Curiosities
Is Honors limited to academia?
Mostly, it generally pertains to scholastic achievements.
What is Honors?
Honors is a formal recognition of outstanding academic performance.
Is Distinction always formal?
No, it can be informal recognition as well.
Is Distinction limited to academia?
No, distinction can apply to both academic and non-academic achievements.
Is Distinction based on specific criteria?
It can be subjective or based on specific guidelines.
Do Honors come with extra responsibilities?
Often, such as additional coursework or a higher GPA.
Is Honors based on specific criteria?
Yes, it often requires meeting specific academic benchmarks.
Can one earn both Distinction and Honors?
Yes, depending on the institution's guidelines.
Can Honors apply to skills or talents?
Generally no, it's mostly academic.
What is Distinction?
Distinction refers to a mark of excellence in various fields.
Does Distinction require a GPA?
Not necessarily, it could be based on other merits.
Are Distinction and Honors universal terms?
No, their meanings can vary by institution or context.
Is Honors always formal?
Generally, yes, as it's a structured form of recognition.
Can Distinction apply to skills or talents?
Yes, such as musical or athletic distinctions.
Does Honors require a GPA?
Usually, a specific GPA is often required.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
