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Idiosyncratic vs. Distinctive — What's the Difference?

Idiosyncratic vs. Distinctive — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Idiosyncratic and Distinctive

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Idiosyncratic

A structural or behavioral characteristic peculiar to an individual or group.

Distinctive

Characteristic of one person or thing, and so serving to distinguish it from others
Juniper berries give gin its distinctive flavour

Idiosyncratic

A physiological or temperamental peculiarity.

Distinctive

Serving to identify; distinguishing or characteristic
The distinctive call of the hermit thrush. See Usage Note at distinct.

Idiosyncratic

An unusual individual reaction to food or a drug.
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Distinctive

Distinguished or attractive
"Her forefinger tracked the cleft in his chin, and she thought how distinctive it made him look" (Joan Johnston).

Idiosyncratic

Peculiar to a specific individual; eccentric.

Distinctive

(Linguistics) Phonemically relevant and capable of conveying a difference in meaning, as nasalization in the initial sound of mat versus bat.

Idiosyncratic

Of peculiar temper or disposition; belonging to one's peculiar and individual character.

Distinctive

Distinguishing, used to or enabling the distinguishing of some thing.
A product in distinctive packaging

Idiosyncratic

Peculiar to the individual;
We all have our own idiosyncratic gestures
Michelangelo's highly idiosyncratic style of painting

Distinctive

(rare) Discriminating, discerning, having the ability to distinguish between things.

Distinctive

Characteristic, typical.
His distinctive bass voice

Distinctive

(rare) Distinguished, being distinct in character or position.

Distinctive

Used to separate clauses in place of stops.

Distinctive

Distinguishing a particular sense of word.

Distinctive

A distinctive thing: a quality or property permitting distinguishing; a characteristic.

Distinctive

A distinctive accent.

Distinctive

(theology) A distinctive belief, tenet, or dogma of a denomination or sect.

Distinctive

Marking or expressing distinction or difference; distinguishing; characteristic; peculiar.
The distinctive character and institutions of New England.

Distinctive

Having the power to distinguish and discern; discriminating.

Distinctive

Of a feature that helps to distinguish a person or thing;
Jerusalem has a distinctive Middle East flavor
That is typical of you!

Distinctive

Possible to classify

Distinctive

Serving to distinguish or identify a species or group;
The distinguishing mark of the species is its plumage
Distinctive tribal tattoos
We were asked to describe any identifying marks or distinguishing features

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