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# distinctive

adjective (distinctive; more distinctive, most distinctive)

«distinctive» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

Easy to recognise because it is different from others; special to one person or thing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distinctive/#m1)

### In the lessons

In science lessons, animals and plants are identified by distinctive features: a zebra's stripes, a robin's red breast. In stories a distinctive voice, smell or laugh helps the reader recognise a character. Phrases: «a distinctive smell», «distinctive features», «a distinctive voice», «distinctive markings».

### Examples

- The zebra has distinctive black and white stripes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distinctive/#x1)
- Grandad has a very distinctive laugh. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distinctive/#x2)
- The robin is easy to spot with its distinctive red breast. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distinctive/#x3)
- The house had a distinctive blue door. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distinctive/#x4)
- Garlic has a distinctive smell. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distinctive/#x5)
- Each fingerprint has a distinctive pattern. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distinctive/#x6)
- It is necessary to keep clearly in view the distinctive difference between the three great earth-goddesses Gaea, Rhea, and Demeter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distinctive/#x7)

### Note

Do not confuse with «distinct» (clearly separate or clear: «a distinct shape», «two distinct groups»). «Distinctive» means special and recognisable. Noun: «distinctiveness».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «distinctive» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distinctive/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«distinctive» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/distinctive.html) on Mova free.