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Definition of distinctive

distinctive

/dɪˈstɪŋk.tɪv/
dis · tinc · tive
Adverb:distinctively
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distinctive Lexical Profile

distinctive Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Characteristic of one person or thing, and so serving to distinguish it from others.

Example

"Juniper berries give gin its distinctive flavor and aroma."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for distinctive
Antonyms
View all antonyms for distinctive

Word Nuance & Usage

"Distinctive" means having a special quality or feature that makes something easily recognizable and typical of a particular person or thing, whereas "distinct" means clearly separate, different, or easily perceived by the senses.

• Rhymes for distinctive

• Nearby Words

distillery
distinct
distinction
distinctive
distinctively
distinctiveness
distinctly

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late Middle English period from Old French distinctif or Medieval Latin distinctivus, derived from the Latin verb distinguere ("to separate or mark off").

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Distinctive. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/distinctive
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