characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class.
responded with her characteristic wit
individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class.
a highly individual writing style
peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness.
an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British
distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy.
a distinctive aura of grace and elegance
Example Sentences
He had a very distinctive walk. This wine has a more distinctive flavor than that one. The store sells only the most distinctive chocolates.
Recent Examples on the WebThe band’s brew of indie pop and Welch’s distinctive mezzo-soprano voice – enticing on record – is even more striking on stage. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2022 Ron Kroichick, staff writer: Vin Scully’s distinctive voice, masterful use of the language and rhythm in telling stories were perfect for baseball. Sporting Green Staff, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Aug. 2022 Sriracha lovers are legion (see the T-shirts and tattoos featuring the sauce’s distinctive logo), and news of the impending shortage was met with despair on social media. Emily Heil, Washington Post, 9 June 2022 Sriracha lovers are legion (see the T-shirts and tattoos featuring the sauce’s distinctive logo), and news of the impending shortage was met with despair on social media. Emily Heil, Anchorage Daily News, 9 June 2022 Then there is Woods’s distinctive signature on a piece of paper that could have been bought in a department store stationery aisle.New York Times, 5 Apr. 2022 Each group brought forward a distinctive fashion flavor (The Beach Boys, for instance, embodied a cheeky surfer vibe). Christian Allaire, Vogue, 25 July 2022 Each day, even in a heat wave, has its own distinctive characteristics. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 23 July 2022 There are also distinctive characteristics unique to the trio of colors. Chris Fedor, cleveland, 18 July 2022 See More