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 of distinctive

• 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

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

Over time, Italy has built a distinctive entrepreneurial and manufacturing ecosystem, capable of translating ideas into products that combine quality and global relevance. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026

The distinctive bases are made to a ratio of 80 percent water to 20 percent flour, and then fermented for two days, resulting in an exceedingly crisp and airy baked crust. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2026

This, the play posits, is exactly what young Housman (Yaron Lotan, in a poignant performance that subtly mimics Greenspan’s distinctive timbre) did at the end of his time at Oxford. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

But rather than sticking to downtown, Mangelaars pointed to Seattle’s distinctive neighborhoods for a fall break. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see distinct

First Known Use

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