Meaning & use
distinctive style
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Meaning
nouncountable or uncountable
A way of doing, making, or presenting something that is clearly different and easy to recognize.
Grammar: Countable with 'a' or plural: a distinctive style, distinctive styles. Uncountable when talking about style in general.
Patterns
- a distinctive style of something
- have a distinctive style
- in a distinctive style
The architect is known for her distinctive style of using glass and wood.
His paintings have a distinctive style that collectors recognize immediately.
The band developed a distinctive style by mixing jazz and folk music.
Word forms
| plural | distinctive styles |
|---|
Common combinations
- a distinctive style of
- She writes in a distinctive style of short, sharp sentences.
- develop a distinctive style
- Over the years, the chef developed a distinctive style of cooking.
- recognize a distinctive style
- Art experts can recognize his distinctive style at a glance.
- in a distinctive style
- The house was built in a distinctive style that blends old and new.
Synonyms and how they differ
- unique style
- Stronger; 'unique' means the only one of its kind, while 'distinctive' just means clearly different.
- signature style
- Often used for a famous person's typical style; 'distinctive' is more general.
Word family
- distinctively adverb
- In a way that is easy to recognize as different.
- distinctiveness noun
- The quality of being easy to recognize as different.
Commonly confused: distinctive style or distinct style?
distinctive style vs distinct style
'Distinct' means separate and clearly different; 'distinctive' means standing out as a special feature.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'distinctive style' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The pattern 'a distinctive style of + noun' is correct. The other options use wrong prepositions or omit 'of'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “distinctive style”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.