Word
distinctive
Phoneticsdis·tinc·tive, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈstɪŋktɪv/
UK/dɪstˈɪŋktɪv/
Definitions
01unique or easy to recognize
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having a special quality or appearance that makes something different from others and easy to notice.
adj. characteristic of a specific person, group, or thing, serving to distinguish it from others of the same type.
日本語:個性的※
“The male bird has a distinctive red patch on its wings that makes it easy to spot.”
“The architect's work is known for its distinctive use of raw concrete and geometric shapes, which sets it apart from the surrounding traditional buildings.”
Usage
Often used before a noun to describe a style, smell, or sound.
Pitfall
The two brothers have a very distinctive look.
The two brothers have very distinct looks.
Use 'distinctive' for a unique quality that identifies someone. Use 'distinct' when you mean two things are clearly separate or different from each other.
Teaching tip
Learners often confuse 'distinctive' with 'distinct'. Remind them that 'distinctive' is about a unique personality or brand, while 'distinct' is about being separate or clear.
Synonyms
02linguistic markers
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
adj. used in language to show a difference in meaning or to separate parts of a sentence.
adj. serving to distinguish a particular sense of a word or to separate clauses in a text.
“In English, the difference between 'p' and 'b' is a distinctive feature because it changes the word's meaning.”
“The researcher identified several distinctive accents in the ancient manuscript that functioned as punctuation to guide the reader through complex clauses.”
Usage
Common in phonology and grammar to describe features that change meaning.
Teaching tip
This is a specialized sense used mostly in linguistics or academic study of ancient texts.
Synonyms
03a unique feature
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal · Academic
n. a specific quality or belief that makes a group or thing different from others.
n. a characteristic property or a specific tenet that distinguishes a particular group, denomination, or entity.
“One of the distinctives of this local culture is their unique style of folk music.”
“The professor spent the lecture outlining the theological distinctives that separated the two sects during the seventeenth century.”
Usage
Usually refers to abstract qualities like beliefs or properties.
Teaching tip
The noun form is much rarer than the adjective and is typically found in academic or religious contexts.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “distinctive” in context.
Verb
01. possess a distinctive quality
“Her voice possesses a distinctive quality that is both haunting and beautiful.”
verb + adj + noun
02. remain distinctive
“Despite the many imitations, the original design remains distinctive.”
verb + adj
Adjective
03. distinctive feature
“The most distinctive feature of the building is its curved glass roof.”
adj + noun
04. distinctive flavor
“Saffron gives the dish a very distinctive flavor and a vibrant yellow color.”
adj + noun
05. distinctive style
“The author has developed a distinctive style that blends noir fiction with magical realism.”
adj + noun
06. highly distinctive
“The bird's plumage is highly distinctive, making it easy to spot even from a distance.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. lack of distinctive characteristics
“The critic complained about the lack of distinctive characteristics in modern pop music.”
noun + of + noun
Real-World Examples
“Lar gibbons are small apes covered in blonde or dark brown fur, with a distinctive ring of white fur around their faces.” “Scientists have pinpointed a brain network—and its distinctive electrical rhythm—that appears to drive the benefits of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease.” Etymology
From Latin distinctus, perfect passive participle of distinguere (“to push apart, to divide”), + -ive (forming adjectives signifying relation or tendency to). Cognate with French distinctif and Medieval Latin distinctivus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/distinctive
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0