distinctive

1 of 2

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

distinctiveness

2 of 2

noun

dis·​tinc·​tive·​ness

-tivnə̇s, 

-tēv- also -təv-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being distinctive

Synonyms of distinctive

Adjective

• different
• diverse
• distinct
• distinguishable

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

Adjective

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

Adjective

This left distinctive marks on the bones, marks that were usually shallower, shorter, and wider than cut marks from stone tools. — ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026

Before setting up shop at Taliesin in Wisconsin and later Taliesin West in Arizona, Wright was at work establishing himself and figuring out his distinctive architectural eye in Oak Park. — River Davies, Architectural Digest, 9 July 2026

The distinctive memories of World War II linger even in music. — Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026

Clips of Haaland sprinting across the pitch in his distinctive, forward-leaning style have also become wildly popular. — Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see distinct

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Rhymes for distinctive

• instinctive

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