distinctive

adjective

dis·​tinc·​tive di-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv 

1

a

: marking as separate or different : serving to distinguish

the distinctive flight of the crane

b

: having or giving an uncommon and appealing quality : having or giving style or distinction

a distinctive table setting

a writer with a distinctive prose style

2

linguistics : capable of making a segment of utterance different in meaning as well as in sound from an otherwise identical utterance

distinctively adverb

distinctiveness noun

Synonyms

• different
• disparate
• dissimilar
• distant
• distinct
• distinguishable
• diverse
• nonidentical
• other
• unalike
• unlike

Choose the Right Synonym for distinctive

characteristic, individual, peculiar, distinctive mean indicating a special quality or identity.

characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class.

responded with her characteristic wit

individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class.

a highly individual writing style

peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness.

an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy.

a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

Examples of distinctive in a Sentence

He had a very distinctive walk.

This wine has a more distinctive flavor than that one.

The store sells only the most distinctive chocolates.

Recent Examples on the Web

And in the case of the Explorer this is compounded because its a good EV, is quiet on the road, and has a good range and a distinctive, winning exterior. —Jeremy White, WIRED, 21 Dec. 2024

Gottlieb and Katz both credit a shift towards more unique shapes in general—with more and more brides wanting distinctive, fashion-forward rings that the algorithm hasn’t served them a thousand times before. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2024

Clovis is a site in New Mexico, where archaeologists in the 1920s and ’30s found distinctive projectile points and other artifacts dated to between 11,000 and 13,000 years ago. —Christina Larson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024

At 15 years old, Merlo has already established himself as one of the most distinctive voices in the Argentine music scene. —Julián Mastrángelo, Billboard, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see distinct

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

distinctive

adjective

dis·​tinc·​tive dis-ˈtiŋ(k)-tiv 

1

: clearly marking a person or a thing as different from others

a distinctive walk

2

: having or giving a special look or way

distinctive clothes

distinctively adverb

distinctiveness noun