distinctive definition Hear it!

dis·tinc·tive (di stiŋktiv)

adjective

making distinct; distinguishing from others; characteristic

Origin: ME < ML distinctivus

Related Forms:

dis·tinc·tive (dĭ-stĭngkˈtĭv)

adjective
  1. Serving to identify; distinguishing: distinctive tribal tattoos. See Usage Note at distinct.
  2. Characteristic or typical: “Jerusalem has a distinctive Middle East flavor” (Curtis Wilkie).
  3. Linguistics Phonemically relevant and capable of conveying a difference in meaning, as nasalization in the initial sound of mat versus bat.

Related Forms: