adj
Common
distinctive
dih-STIHNGK-tihv
Distinctive (adj) means serving to mark something as different or recognizable; characteristic. Example: “The bird has a distinctive red patch on its head.”
adj
1
Serving to mark something as different or recognizable; characteristic.
"The bird has a distinctive red patch on its head."
"She has a distinctive way of writing dialogue."
How to use distinctive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving a quality that makes something easy to recognize and set apart from others.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "distinct," which just means "separate" or "different" without implying recognisability.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
distinctive style
distinctive feature
distinctive flavor
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Word forms
- Plural
- distinctives
- Comparative
- more distinctive
- Superlative
- most distinctive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bird has a _____ red patch on its head.
Etymology
From Latin distinctus + -ive.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for distinctive
See all rhymes for distinctive →Frequently asked questions
What does “distinctive” mean?
The word “distinctive” means serving to mark something as different or recognizable; characteristic. In plain terms, having a quality that makes something easy to recognize and set apart from others.
How do you pronounce “distinctive”?
“Distinctive” is pronounced dih-STIHNGK-tihv (/dɪˈstɪŋktɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “distinctive” in a sentence?
Here is “distinctive” used in a sentence: “The bird has a distinctive red patch on its head.”
What part of speech is “distinctive”?
“Distinctive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “distinctive” come from?
The word “distinctive” comes from Latin. From Latin distinctus + -ive.
Is “distinctive” a common word?
“Distinctive” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between distinctive and distinct?
Distinct means clearly separate or easily perceived — "two distinct species", "a distinct improvement". Distinctive means serving to mark something as different or recognisable: a distinctive voice is one that identifies the speaker. Something can be distinct (clear) without being distinctive (characteristic).
What is the difference between distinctive and unique?
Unique strictly means one of a kind, while distinctive means characteristic and easily recognisable. Many things can share distinctive features — lots of singers have distinctive voices — but only one thing can be truly unique.
Is calling something distinctive a compliment?
Not automatically. Distinctive is neutral in itself: it marks something as recognisable or characteristic, whether pleasant ("the distinctive smell of fresh bread") or not ("the distinctive smell of sulphur"). In branding and design contexts, though, it is usually meant as praise.
What is the difference between distinctive and distinguished?
Distinctive means characteristic and recognisable, while distinguished means eminent, respected, or dignified, usually describing people ("a distinguished professor"). A distinctive career is unusual and recognisable; a distinguished career is impressive and honoured.
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