WordGarden.iodistinctive
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /dɪstˈɪŋktɪv/
US
- /dɪˈstɪŋktɪv/
Meanings
Adjective
clearly different and easy to recognize
able to mark a difference between linguistic units
Beyond the definition
Something distinctive stands out from the crowd – it has qualities that make it easy to recognize and different from others. Think of a musician with a distinctive voice, or a building with a distinctive architectural style. It's not just "different"; it's the kind of different you remember.
If your grandmother makes a pie with a secret ingredient, that pie is distinctive. A detective might look for distinctive markings on a suspect to help identify them. The word comes from the idea of "distinguishing" something – making it clear what sets it apart. You can use "distinctive" to describe anything from fashion choices to personality traits.
Distinctive describes something that possesses qualities that set it clearly apart from others, making it easily identifiable and memorable. It goes beyond simply being different; a distinctive feature is one that's clearly noticeable and characteristic.
You might say a jazz musician has a distinctive trumpet style – meaning their playing isn't just different, but instantly recognizable as theirs. A city known for its distinctive skyline immediately brings to mind specific buildings or architectural features. It can also apply to personality: "She had a distinctive sense of humor."
Something merely "different" might be random; something distinctive usually has a clear feature that makes it stand out.
While often used positively, distinctive doesn't necessarily mean "good." A villain can have a distinctive laugh – chilling and memorable, but not pleasant! It simply means the quality is noticeable and sets them apart.
So, if something grabs your attention because of its clear qualities, leaving a lasting impression, it's likely distinctive. It's about being memorably different, with characteristics that make something stand out in a crowd.
Examples
- 1
Landmark
The village church has a distinctive tower that you can spot from miles away.
- 2
Personal sound
Even in a crowd, his distinctive laugh is easy to recognize.
- 3
App feature
One distinctive feature of the app is that it reads the text aloud.
- 4
Local flavor
The restaurant's menu has a distinctive local flavor.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Literary style
That calm, understated style is distinctive of her later novels.
- Patterndistinctive of + person/work/period
typical of and easy to connect with
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- distinctive feature
- distinctive style
- distinctive voice
- distinctive aroma
Word family
Explore
- individuality
- brand identity
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- distinctiveadjective