distinctive

adjective

dis·​tinc·​tive di-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv How to pronounce distinctive (audio)
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
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
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Its distinctive adaptations — seen in its face, massive teeth, powerful jaws, and now its hands — point toward a highly specialized diet of tough plant foods, rather than a heavy dependence on tool technology. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025 What makes his writing distinctive is not its sameness but rather its range and variety. Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025 The Karate Bag is available in two iterations — a smooth leather model and a studded version — each expressing a distinctive character through its material and detailing. Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025 Across mediums and genres, our studio has fused art, craft and technology in service of bold, distinctive and enduring stories. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for distinctive

Word History

Etymology

see distinct

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of distinctive was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Distinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distinctive. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

distinctive

adjective
dis·​tinc·​tive dis-ˈtiŋ(k)-tiv How to pronounce distinctive (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on distinctive

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