discriminative

[ dih-skrim-uh-ney-tiv, -nuh-tiv ]

adjective

1. constituting a particular quality, trait, or difference; characteristic; notable.
2. making distinctions; discriminating. discriminating.
3. discriminatory ( def 1 ).

Other Words From

• dis·crimi·native·ly adverb
• nondis·crimi·native adjective
• nondis·crimi·native·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of discriminative¹

First recorded in 1630–40; discriminate + -ive

Example Sentences

The Pekingese are very discriminative and frequently condescendingly refer to all other Chinese as "outside men" or "foreigners."

From Project Gutenberg

Compunction at incipient crime, and gratitude to find its punishment so mercifully speedy, so lenient, so discriminative?

From Project Gutenberg

The retentive power works up to the height of the discriminative power; it can do no more.

From Project Gutenberg

In him the discriminative sensory perceptions kept pace with great intellectual activities—attention and judgment.

From Project Gutenberg

Of him his best friend, Sydney Smith, left a short but discriminative character.

From Project Gutenberg