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

May is often the easiest time to identify garlic mustard because its distinctive white flowers are in bloom. —Breana Pitts, CBS News, 11 June 2026

The gemstone's distinctive electric blue-to-green color is caused by the presence of copper. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Westside Square, which opened in 2022, also featured live entertainment and its space was distinctive for its enclosure fashioned out of repurposed windows. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026

Romanstii Knitted Collared Shirt Coming in at just $37, the Romanstii Knitted Collard Shirt takes distinctive Anthropologie stripes and combines them with the season’s trending polo style to create an elevated, cozy staple every wardrobe needs. —Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 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