distill

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'distill' is correct and usable in written English.
'Distill' can be used as a verb meaning to "purify or refine by boiling, condensing, and collecting the vapor" as in distilling alcohol. It can also be used figuratively to mean "to gradually extract something". For example, "The historian distilled the essence of the century into a few brief sentences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just as I know I may also need to know how to distill my own urine for drinking water.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the long term, when technologies have stabilised, we may well be able to distill our thinking to a bill of rights for the internet.

The Guardian

William Kristol, as ever, manages to distill the rot down to its ludicrous essence: "What's the harm of bombing them at least for a few weeks and seeing what happens?

The Economist

"We talk to companies in [the] airline, automotive, computer and low-tech [industries], trying to distill in R&D things that other industries do better than us," says Bob Ruffalo, the company's head of R&D.

The Economist

The Longer Rules and Shorter Rules (for monasteries) and other ascetic writings distill the experience that began at Annesi and continued in his supervision of the monasteries of Cappadocia: they were to exert strong influence on the monastic life of Eastern Christianity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The concept of theology that is applicable as a science in all religions and that is therefore neutral is difficult to distill and determine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Grapes from different species are eaten fresh or dried (raisins and currants), and there are now hundreds of varietals derived from V. vinifera and related species used to produce different kinds of wine and to distill into brandy, including cognac and Armagnac.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Near the end of the 18th century, the Scottish engineer William Murdock developed a practical method to distill gas from coal for illumination.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Small quantities of volatile components, responsible for tastes and odours, distill, leaving a neutral, virtually odourless fat that is suitable for the manufacture of bland shortening or delicately flavoured margarine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Romantic period witnessed the emergence of a truly national school of painting in the United States, where events and scenery provided a constant source of stimulation for artists content to distill their own poetry from the world around them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the Grande Chartreuse, as the motherhouse is known, the lay brothers distill the liqueur that bears the name of the motherhouse and of which the profits are distributed to neighbouring religious causes and charities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distill" when you want to emphasize the process of extracting the most important elements from a larger body of information or a complex substance. For instance, "The report distills the key findings from the research."

Common error

While "distill" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Simpler words like "summarize" or "extract" may be more suitable for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "distill" is as a verb. It describes an action of extracting the most important aspects from something, either literally (as in distilling alcohol) or figuratively (as in distilling information). Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showcasing various examples where "distill" serves to refine or concentrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

35%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "distill" is a versatile verb commonly used to describe the process of extracting the most important aspects of something, either literally or figuratively. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and prevalent across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. While it can be used in a variety of settings, it is generally best suited for neutral to formal communication. When considering alternatives, "extract the essence", "purify", and "concentrate" are strong substitutes, depending on the nuance you want to convey. Remember that the essence of "distill" lies in the act of refinement and essentialization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extract the essence

Focuses on the core meaning or most important aspects.

purify

Emphasizes the removal of impurities and unwanted elements.

concentrate

Highlights increasing the strength or density of a substance or idea.

refine

Suggests improving or clarifying something by removing imperfections.

condense

Implies reducing the volume or length while retaining the essential content.

sublimate

Suggests transforming something into a purer or more refined form.

draw out the significance

Highlights the importance of revealing the underlying meaning.

get to the heart of

Focuses on finding the central issue or most important part.

reduce to essentials

Emphasizes simplifying something to its most basic components.

clarify

Highlights the action of making something easier to understand.

FAQs

How can I use "distill" in a sentence?

You can use "distill" to describe the process of extracting the essence of something, such as "The author managed to distill complex philosophical ideas into a simple narrative."

What can I say instead of "distill"?

Alternatives to "distill" include "extract the essence", "purify", or "concentrate", depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

Which is correct: "distill information" or "distill the information"?

Both "distill information" and "distill the information" can be correct, depending on the context. "Distill information" is more general, while "distill the information" implies you are referring to a specific set of information.

What's the difference between "distill" and "summarize"?

"Distill" implies extracting the most essential aspects, while "summarize" means providing a brief overview. You might "summarize" a long article, but you would "distill" its core arguments.