Distinction vs. Skill — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 25, 2024
Distinction refers to excellence or a notable difference, while skill denotes the ability to perform tasks well.
Difference Between Distinction and Skill
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Distinction is about achieving a level of excellence or being notably different in some aspect, often recognized through awards or honors. On the other hand, skill pertains to the ability or expertise to perform specific tasks effectively, acquired through practice and experience.
While distinctions are often awarded or recognized by external entities, indicating a level of achievement or quality, skills are inherently personal capabilities, developed and refined over time through practice and learning.
Distinctions can be seen in various fields, such as academics, where they may signify high achievement, whereas skills are more about practical abilities in specific areas, such as craftsmanship, technology, or interpersonal communication.
In the workplace, distinction might be used to refer to an employee's outstanding achievements or unique contributions that set them apart, while skill refers to their competencies and abilities that enable them to perform their job duties effectively.
Distinctions can be fleeting or subject to change based on external recognition and criteria, while skills, once developed, form a more stable and intrinsic part of an individual's capabilities, often growing and evolving with further practice and application.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Recognition of excellence or notable difference.
Ability or expertise in performing tasks.
Acquisition
Awarded by others, based on achievement or quality.
Developed through practice and experience.
Fields
Broad, can be in academics, arts, etc.
Specific, related to practical abilities.
Workplace Relevance
Reflects achievements or unique contributions.
Pertains to competencies and job performance.
Stability
Subject to external criteria and recognition.
Intrinsic, grows with practice and learning.
Compare with Definitions
Distinction
A notable difference that sets apart.
His innovative approach marked a distinction from traditional methods.
Skill
Ability acquired through practice.
Her skill in painting was evident in her detailed artwork.
Distinction
An award or honor signifying achievement.
Graduating with distinction highlighted her academic prowess.
Skill
Expertise in a specific task or field.
His programming skills made him an asset to the software team.
Distinction
A classification denoting superiority.
The restaurant was awarded a distinction for its exceptional cuisine.
Skill
The capability to perform tasks effectively.
His problem-solving skills were crucial in crisis management.
Distinction
Recognition of excellence.
She received a distinction for her groundbreaking research.
Skill
Proficiency gained through experience.
Years of practice honed her skill as a violinist.
Distinction
A characteristic that differentiates.
The distinction of this software lies in its user-friendly design.
Skill
A talent or knack for doing something well.
She has a skill for public speaking that engages her audience.
Distinction
The act of distinguishing; differentiation
Economists making an ongoing distinction between domestic and foreign markets.
Skill
A skill is the learned ability to perform an action with determined results with good execution often within a given amount of time, energy, or both. Skills can often be divided into domain-general and domain-specific skills.
Distinction
The condition or fact of being dissimilar or distinct; difference
"the crucial distinction between education and indoctrination" (A. Bartlett Giamatti).
Skill
Proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience
Painted with great skill.
Distinction
A distinguishing factor, attribute, or characteristic
A legal system blind to distinctions of race, gender, and class.
Skill
A developed talent or ability
Improved his writing skills.
Distinction
Excellence or eminence, as of performance, character, or reputation
A diplomat of distinction.
Skill
An art, trade, or technique, particularly one requiring use of the hands or body
The skill of glassmaking.
Distinction
A special quality or accomplishment conferring uniqueness or honor
Has the distinction of being the tallest in his class.
Skill
(Obsolete) A reason; a cause.
Distinction
Recognition of achievement or superiority; honor
Graduated with distinction.
Skill
Capacity to do something well; technique, ability. Skills are usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities, which are often thought of as innate.
Where did you pick up that skill?
With great skill, she navigated through the tricky passage.
Doing that coaching course not only taught me useful skills on the field, but also some important life skills.
Distinction
An award or honor given to someone for outstanding achievement
Won many distinctions while in the military.
Skill
(obsolete) Discrimination; judgment; propriety; reason; cause.
Distinction
That which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination.
Skill
(obsolete) Knowledge; understanding.
Distinction
The act of distinguishing, discriminating; discrimination.
There is a distinction to be made between resting and slacking.
Skill
(obsolete) Display of art; exercise of ability; contrivance; address.
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.
Skill
Great, excellent.
Distinction
A marking off by visible signs; separation into parts; division.
The distinction of tragedy into acts was not known.
Skill
(transitive) To set apart; separate.
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.
Skill
To discern; have knowledge or understanding; to know how (to).
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.
Skill
To know; to understand.
Distinction
Estimation of difference; regard to differences or distinguishing circumstance.
Maids, women, wives, without distinction, fall.
Skill
(intransitive) To have knowledge or comprehension; discern.
Distinction
Conspicuous station; eminence; superiority; honorable estimation; as, a man of distinction.
Your country's own means of distinction and defense.
Skill
(intransitive) To have personal or practical knowledge; be versed or practised; be expert or dextrous.
Distinction
A discrimination between things as different and distinct;
It is necessary to make a distinction between love and infatuation
Skill
To make a difference; signify; matter.
Distinction
High status importance owing to marked superiority;
A scholar of great eminence
Skill
(video games) To spend acquired points in exchange for skills.
Distinction
A distinguishing quality;
It has the distinction of being the cheapest restaurant in town
Skill
Discrimination; judgment; propriety; reason; cause.
For great skill is, he prove that he wrought.
Distinction
A distinguishing difference;
He learned the distinction between gold and lead
Skill
Knowledge; understanding.
That by his fellowship he color mightBoth his estate and love from skill of any wight.
Nor want we skill or art.
Skill
The familiar knowledge of any art or science, united with readiness and dexterity in execution or performance, or in the application of the art or science to practical purposes; power to discern and execute; ability to perceive and perform; expertness; aptitude; as, the skill of a mathematician, physician, surgeon, mechanic, etc.
Phocion, . . . by his great wisdom and skill at negotiations, diverted Alexander from the conquest of Athens.
Where patience her sweet skill imparts.
Skill
Display of art; exercise of ability; contrivance; address.
Richard . . . by a thousand princely skills, gathering so much corn as if he meant not to return.
Skill
Any particular art.
Learned in one skill, and in another kind of learning unskillful.
Skill
To know; to understand.
To skill the arts of expressing our mind.
Skill
To be knowing; to have understanding; to be dexterous in performance.
I can not skill of these thy ways.
Skill
To make a difference; to signify; to matter; - used impersonally.
What skills it, if a bag of stones or goldAbout thy neck do drown thee?
It skills not talking of it.
Skill
An ability that has been acquired by training
Skill
Ability to produce solutions in some problem domain;
The skill of a well-trained boxer
The sweet science of pugilism
Common Curiosities
Is distinction the same as a qualification?
Distinction can be part of a qualification (e.g., graduating with distinction), but it specifically denotes a level of excellence within that qualification.
How is distinction recognized?
Distinction is often recognized through awards, honors, or acknowledgment by others for notable achievements or quality.
What is a distinction?
A distinction is a recognition of excellence or a notable characteristic that sets someone or something apart.
Can skills lead to distinctions?
Yes, exceptional skills and their application can lead to distinctions, such as awards or recognition in one's field.
What defines a skill?
A skill is the ability or expertise in performing specific tasks effectively, developed through practice and experience.
Do skills always improve over time?
Skills can improve with continued practice and learning, but they may plateau or decline without ongoing effort.
How do you acquire skills?
Skills are acquired through practice, experience, and sometimes formal education or training.
Can distinction be subjective?
Yes, what is considered a distinction can be subjective and vary depending on cultural, organizational, or personal values.
Are all distinctions formal?
Not all distinctions are formal; some may be informal recognitions of uniqueness or excellence by peers or communities.
Is it possible to have a skill without being distinguished?
Yes, one can have a skill without external distinction; skills pertain to personal capabilities, while distinctions involve external recognition.
Can a skill become obsolete?
Yes, skills can become obsolete if they are no longer relevant or needed due to changes in technology, industry, or societal needs.
How do distinctions impact a career?
Distinctions can enhance a career by providing recognition and credibility, often opening up new opportunities.
How do skills and distinctions interrelate in professional development?
In professional development, skills are the foundational abilities that enable performance, while distinctions are acknowledgments of excellence or notable achievements in applying those skills.
Can distinctions be lost or revoked?
Certain distinctions, especially those based on ongoing criteria or standards, can be lost or revoked if the standards are no longer met.
Are distinctions always positive?
Distinctions are generally positive, recognizing excellence or superiority, but the term can occasionally be used in a neutral or negative context to denote difference.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-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.
