Distinct-Distinctive | Commonly Confused Words
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Distinct vs. Distinctive

Distinct

/dɪˈstɪŋkt/
Clearly different or separate from others

Examples:

He made the last statement in a tone of distinct regret.Two distinct knocks, sir, will produce the slavey at any time.Dr. Savaronoff was a distinct personality.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Distinctive

/dɪˈstɪŋktɪv/
Something that is easy to recognize because it is different from other things

Examples:

But the analogy ignored the neutron's distinctive neutrality.There was nothing distinctive about the pictures.Her laughter had a distinctive, infectious quality.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Both words derive from the same Latin root, but they serve different purposes in sentences.
  • Think of distinct as describing something that is clearly different and identifiable.
  • Use distinctive to highlight characteristic features that make something stand out.
  • Distinct is often used to describe separate and individual entities.
  • Distinctive implies unique and often positive qualities characteristic to something.
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