distinctive
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
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
From its facial expressions to its distinctive chirp, the creature is wreathed in a kind of nostalgia that Eighties kids will remember from those early days trolling the VHS rack at their local Blockbuster.
—
Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
The Allure of Free Market Multifamily The recent transactions demonstrate strong investor demand, which is closely linked to the distinctive attributes of New York City's free market multifamily sector.
—Shimon Shkury, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Our unit values the distinctive training opportunities afforded by our deployment to the Indo-Pacific and is eager to contribute to the mission.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
His distinctive sound has led to collaborations with The Blacklabel (home to Blackpink’s Rose and Taeyang), along with releases through Interscope and 88rising.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinctive
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Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
The Allure of Free Market Multifamily The recent transactions demonstrate strong investor demand, which is closely linked to the distinctive attributes of New York City's free market multifamily sector.
—Shimon Shkury, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Our unit values the distinctive training opportunities afforded by our deployment to the Indo-Pacific and is eager to contribute to the mission.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
His distinctive sound has led to collaborations with The Blacklabel (home to Blackpink’s Rose and Taeyang), along with releases through Interscope and 88rising.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinctive
Cite this Entry
“Distinctive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distinctive. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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