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
That distinctive flavor transfers to the rum, as well — Single Estate is clearly a member of the extended Mount Gay family, but its richness, depth and complexity still stand out from the rest of the line.
—
Tony Sachs, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The distinctive flavor of oregano grows more pronounced the hotter and drier its growing conditions and is typically best just prior to flowering.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
Humans like to put things in distinctive bins, but nature is not so prejudiced.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 21 Mar. 2025
Sifting through the sandy dirt of eastern Egypt, archaeologists found an ancient grave filled with distinctive artifacts.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distinctive
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Tony Sachs, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The distinctive flavor of oregano grows more pronounced the hotter and drier its growing conditions and is typically best just prior to flowering.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
Humans like to put things in distinctive bins, but nature is not so prejudiced.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 21 Mar. 2025
Sifting through the sandy dirt of eastern Egypt, archaeologists found an ancient grave filled with distinctive artifacts.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 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 26 Mar. 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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