distinctive

[dih-stingk-tiv]

adjective

1. serving to distinguish; characteristic; distinguishing: distinguishing.

   the distinctive stripes of the zebra.

   Synonyms: individual

2. having a special quality, style, attractiveness, etc.; notable.

distinctive

/ dɪˈstɪŋktɪv /

adjective

1. serving or tending to distinguish

2. denoting one of a set of minimal features of a phoneme in a given language that serve to distinguish it from other phonemes. The distinctive features of /p/ in English are that it is voiceless, bilabial, non-nasal, and plosive; /b/ is voiced, bilabial, non-nasal, and plosive: the two differ by the distinctive feature of voice

Other Word Forms

• distinctively adverb
• distinctiveness noun
• subdistinctive adjective
• subdistinctively adverb
• subdistinctiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of distinctive¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Medieval Latin distinctīvus; equivalent to distinct + -ive

Example Sentences

The film, with its distinctive ragtime soundtrack, eventually won seven Academy Awards including best picture - although Redford was beaten to the best actor award by Jack Lemmon.

From BBC

The game's distinctive currency has been described as the most printed money in the world.

From BBC

Investigators appealed for the public's help identifying the suspect, who was wearing sunglasses, Converse shoes and a "distinctive" long-sleeved black top featuring an American flag and an eagle.

From BBC

The mega mall - the region's largest shopping complex - welcomes millions of visitors a year and its distinctive design is a recognisable part of South Yorkshire's skyline.

From BBC

Video emerged on Sunday morning showing the distinctive car driving along the D4 motorway and stopping for petrol.

From BBC

Related Words

• cool 
• extraordinary 
• idiosyncratic 
• offbeat 
• original 
• peculiar 
• singular 
• special 
• weird