distinctive

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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 craneb : 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

See distinctive defined for English-language learners

See distinctive defined for kids

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 of distinctive from the Web

Hutton and Cory Wells were touring with Sonny & Cher when then went out on their own, then added Chuck Negron to form the group’s distinctive three-part harmonies.

— bill thompson, Cincinnati.com, "The road is the Mastersons’ musical universe," 19 July 2017
Even though the shapes are very distinctive often, usually.

— michael workman, chicagotribune.com, "Painter William Conger — of childhood, color and cataracts," 12 July 2017
Galás’ decision to emphasize her increasingly distinctive singing was organic.

— george varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Diamanda Galás roars back with two new albums. 'Do I still scare people?' she asks. 'Yes.'," 8 July 2017
Basketball is an arena of personal style, and few players are as distinctive.

— chris herrington, USA TODAY, "Farewell to the greatest Grizzly Zach Randolph," 5 July 2017
Each of the six different habitats will have distinctive rock formations, from coastline boulders to granite outcroppings to cave stalactites.

— john wilkens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego Zoo gets ready to open $68 million Africa Rocks exhibit," 25 June 2017
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will have a distinctive personality and the vessels are sure to be true stand outs in some of the most glamorous ports around the world.

— chabeli herrera, miamiherald, "Ritz-Carlton isn’t all about hotels anymore. Now it’s launching a cruise line," 22 June 2017
For the Miami Herald Lahey’s own bread is distinctive.

— carlos frías, miamiherald, "NYC bakery is now making its award-winning bread in Miami," 22 June 2017
For the Miami Herald Lahey’s own bread is distinctive.

— carlos frías, miamiherald, "NYC bakery is now making its award-winning bread in Miami," 22 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of distinctive

see distinct

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of 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

DISTINCTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

distinctive

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adjective

Definition of distinctive for English Language Learners

: 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

DISTINCTIVE Defined for Kids

distinctive

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adjective dis·tinc·tive \di-ˈstiŋk-tiv\

Definition of distinctive for Students

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