1
: having a quality or characteristic that makes a person or thing different from others : different in a way that is easy to notice
He had a very distinctive walk.
This wine has a more distinctive flavor than that one.
a cooking style that is distinctive [=characteristic] of this region
2
: appealing or interesting because of an unusual quality or characteristic
The store sells only the most distinctive chocolates.
Cite this Entry
“Distinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/distinctive. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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