/ dɪˈstɪŋktɪv; NAmE / adjective
having a quality or characteristic that makes sth different and easily noticed
SYN characteristic :
clothes with a distinctive style
The male bird has distinctive white markings on its head.
► dis·tinct·ive·ly adverb :
a distinctively nutty flavour
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense serving to differentiate ): from late Latin distinctivus , from Latin distinct- distinguished, from the verb distinguere , from dis- apart + stinguere put out.