distinctive

Distinctive is an adjective meaning having a quality or feature that makes something easily recognized or different from others. It denotes a characteristic that serves to distinguish a person, object, or style from a group. The term emphasizes uniqueness or identity rather than mere clarity or separateness. Its etymology traces to Latin distinctivus, from distinguere "to distinguish," with the English form dating from the 17th century; it is formed from distinct + -ive.

Usage is broad and versatile. Distinctive is applied to attributes such as a distinctive voice, a distinctive scent, or distinctive architectural features. In branding, a company may seek a distinctive identity through logos, color schemes, and design language. In biology or zoology one may describe a distinctive pattern to identify a species. The noun form, distinctiveness, refers to the quality of being distinctive, while the adverb distinctly denotes the manner of doing something.

Notes on nuance: Distinctive does not simply mean large or obvious; it indicates a feature that reliably signals identity or origin. It can be positive or neutral depending on context. It is related to but not interchangeable with distinct; distinct emphasizes clarity or separation rather than identity. Common collocations include distinctive feature, distinctive style, and distinctive aroma.

Examples: The city’s distinctive skyline combines historic spires with modern glass towers. The sauce has a distinctive smoky heat. The court noted the ship’s distinctive bow shape as a trademark element.

See also: characteristic, hallmark, unique, identifying feature, trademark, distinctiveiveness.