distinctive

adjective

dis·tinc·tive | \ di-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv

Definition of distinctive

1a : 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

Other Words from distinctive Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about distinctive

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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

The distinctive '50s structure, which sits across Old Shell Road from the UMS-Wright Preparatory School campus, was restored in recent years. — al.com, "Axe-throwing club to open in Mobile’s Blue Bird building," 24 June 2019 There are more than 9 million dairy cows in the United States, and the vast majority of them are Holsteins, large bovines with distinctive black-and-white (sometimes red-and-white) markings. — Maureen O’hagan, Quartz, "The way we breed cows is setting them up for extinction," 24 June 2019 For example, Van Beirendonck regularly plays with his own distinctive (and sometimes naked) silhouette as a motif. — Laird Borrelli-persson, Vogue, "Walter Van Beirendonck Teams Up with House of Liza and FarFetch to Sell Special Archive Pieces," 21 June 2019 There are more than 9 million dairy cows in the United States, and the vast majority of them are Holsteins, large bovines with distinctive black-and-white (sometimes red-and-white) markings. — Maureen O'hagan, Scientific American, "From Two Bulls, Nine Million Dairy Cows," 20 June 2019 The result is a charming reimagining of a residence as a commercial establishment with its distinctive signature intact. — Chandrima Pal, Quartz India, "How a group of investors are preserving Kolkata’s architectural legacy," 12 June 2019 In a special touch, the photo also included both Harry and Meghan’s distinctive signatures and was displayed in a black frame featuring the couple’s joint monogram. — PEOPLE.com, "Prince Harry Had a Rare Photo with Meghan Markle on Display During Kensington Palace Meeting," 11 June 2019 Since that chemistry differs between types of polymer, each type of plastic has a distinctive signature in the infrared. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Bikes, bowling balls, and the delicate balancing act that is modern recycling," 31 Dec. 2018 Her approach to life is distinctive: brisk, stylish, tough, compassionate. — Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, "E. Jean Carroll’s Accusation Against Donald Trump, and the Raising, and Lowering, of the Bar," 25 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'distinctive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

13 Jul 2019

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

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More Definitions for distinctive

distinctive

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of distinctive

: having a quality or characteristic that makes a person or thing different from others : different in a way that is easy to notice

: appealing or interesting because of an unusual quality or characteristic

See the full definition for distinctive in the English Language Learners Dictionary

distinctive

adjective

dis·tinc·tive | \ di-ˈstiŋk-tiv

Kids Definition of distinctive

1 : clearly marking a person or a thing as different from others As they got closer he … could hear Mr. Sir's distinctive bark.— Louis Sachar, Holes

2 : having or giving a special look or way distinctive clothes