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distinctive

adjective
dis·​tinc·​tive | \ di-ˈstiƋ(k)-tiv How to pronounce distinctive (audio) \

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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Other Words from distinctive

distinctively adverb
distinctiveness noun

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The sudden onset of these mysterious illnesses and the patients' severe and distinctive symptoms have led investigators to focus on contaminants, rather than standard vaping products that have been in wide use for many years. — Author: Lena H. Sun, Laurie Mcginley, Anchorage Daily News, "As vaping-related lung illnesses spike, investigators eye contaminants," 30 Aug. 2019 In the pluralistic American tradition, each legislator contributed a distinctive voice to the proceedings. — Troy Patterson, The New Yorker, "In Search of a “Viral Moment” at the Robert Mueller Hearings," 25 July 2019 There was the probing question, the distinctive voice, even the trenchcoat. — CBS News, ""Mike Wallace is here"," 21 July 2019 As any fan of these contemporary artists will tell you, their strength is in their distinctive voices. — Pat Padua, Twin Cities, "Today’s folkies salute their elders in a flawed documentary ‘Echo in the Canyon’," 20 June 2019 Her distinctive voice can make daffodils bloom or light asbestos on fire. — Steve Chapman, chicagotribune.com, "The greatest country music artist ever ... is not a dude," 14 June 2019 Her distinctive voice — evoking classic balladeers like Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee — is as memorable as her savvy songwriting. — kansascity, "KC concerts June 6-12: Luis Miguel, Billie Eilish, Sublime with Rome, Snarky Puppy," 4 June 2019 Truly distinctive voices will strike a chord and find an audience. — Vogue, "Vogue Runway’s Critics Weigh In on the Fall 2019 Menswear Collections—And the Seismic Shifts Changing the Business," 22 Jan. 2019 In the past, she’s also been known for a distinctive physical feature: the gap between her front teeth. — Raisa Bruner, Time, "People Are Bidding Farewell to Dakota Johnson's Old Smile," 6 Aug. 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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First Known Use of distinctive

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for distinctive

see distinct

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More Definitions for distinctive

distinctive

adjective
How to pronounce distinctive (audio)

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-ˈstiƋk-tiv How to pronounce distinctive (audio) \

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

Other Words from distinctive

distinctively adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on distinctive

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for distinctive

Spanish Central: Translation of distinctive

Nglish: Translation of distinctive for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of distinctive for Arabic Speakers

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