Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| destacado | /destaˈkado/ |
| distinguido | /distinˈɡido/ |
| descollante | /deskoˈʝante/ |
These terms are used to describe someone or something that is distinguished from others by its superiority.
What does it mean word for word?
The word destacado is derived from the verb destacar, which means to stand out or to highlight, so it literally means 'highlighted' or 'set apart'.
Which one should you use?
While destacado focuses on prominence or performance, distinguido often carries a connotation of social status, elegance or being 'distinguished' in a polite sense. For a more literary or intense term that implies someone stands out significantly above the rest, you may use descollante.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective destacado must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, becoming destacada for feminine nouns. It takes the plural form destacados when describing a group of masculine or mixed-gender nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/destaˈkado/
Did you know?
- Unlike the English 'outstanding', which can also mean 'unpaid' (like an outstanding debt), destacado is never used to describe money owed.
- While destacado means 'outstanding' in a professional sense, the verb destacar is also used in military contexts to describe a soldier or unit 'detached' from their main body to a specific post.
- The word sobresaliente is another way to say 'outstanding' that is used almost exclusively in schools to describe students with top grades.
Examples in context
- Tom hizo un trabajo destacado.Tom did outstanding work.This sentence is useful for showing how to use destacado to describe work.Tatoeba #5982078 by albrusgher, translation #5162555 by CK
- Ese alumno es muy destacado.That student's very outstanding.This sentence is useful for describing a person using destacado.Tatoeba #3705098 by carlosalberto, translation #2267893 by _undertoad
- ¡Tu contribución al proyecto ha sido excelente!Your contribution to the project has been outstanding!
- Juan obtuvo una calificación sobresaliente en el examen final.Juan got an outstanding grade on the final exam.
- Nuestro equipo de investigación ha logrado un trabajo destacado.Our research team has achieved outstanding work.
- ¡El concierto de anoche estuvo increíble!Last night's concert was outstanding!
- La presentación de María fue impresionante.Maria's performance was outstanding.
- ¡Tus habilidades de cocina son fabulosas!Your cooking skills are outstanding!
- ¡Tu interpretación en la obra de teatro fue sobresaliente!Your performance in the play was outstanding!
- ¡Ese libro es increíble, no puedo dejar de leerlo!That book is outstanding, I can't stop reading it!
- La respuesta fue excelente, tomaste en cuenta todos los detalles.The response was outstanding, you took every detail into account.
- Es un artista muy destacado.He is a very outstanding artist.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are discussing a local musician.
- Daniel¿Has visto su nueva presentación?Have you seen his new performance?
- LucíaSí, es un músico destacado.Yes, he is an outstanding musician.
- DanielTiene un talento increíble.He has incredible talent.
- LucíaTotalmente, es muy especial.Totally, he is very special.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “outstanding” translations and entries destacado, distinguido, descollante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
