Distinctiveness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /di-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv/ dis·tinc·tive

Meaning & Definition of Distinctiveness

Distinctiveness (adjective)

  1. marking as separate or different, serving to distinguish
  2. having or giving an uncommon and appealing quality, having or giving style or distinction
  3. capable of making a segment of utterance different in meaning as well as in sound from an otherwise identical utterance

Distinctiveness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the quality or state of being different

    "the pronounced distinctiveness of his style of playing the violin"

    similar: contrast, difference, disagreement, discrepancy, disparateness, disparity, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, distance, distinction, distinctness, diverseness, diversity, otherness, unlikeness
    related: deviance, divergence, differentiability, discriminability, distinguishability, change, modification, variation, conflict, discord, discordance, dissension, dissent, dissidence, disunity, friction, strife, variability, variance, anomalousness, dichotomy, incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness, nonconformity, disproportion, imbalance, inequality, nonequivalence
    opposite: alikeness, analogousness, analogy, community, likeness, resemblance, sameness, similarity
    near: identicalness, identity, accordance, agreement, conformity, congruity, correspondence, parallelism, similitude, equality, equivalence, equivalency, homogeneity, homogeneousness, uniformity

Related Entry: Distinctive (adjective)

Distinctive is a different word from Distinctiveness. The synonyms below are for distinctive, not for distinctiveness.

  1. being not of the same kind

    "she seems to alternate between two distinctive hairstyles"

    similar: different, disparate, dissimilar, distant, distinct, distinguishable, diverse, nonidentical, other, unalike, unlike
    related: divers, miscellaneous, mixed, several, sundry, variant, varied, various, differentiable, discriminable, alternate, alternative, individual, particular, peculiar, single, disproportionate, divergent, unequal
    opposite: alike, identical, indistinguishable, kin, kindred, like, parallel, same, similar
    near: equal, selfsame, equivalent, tantamount, akin, analogous, comparable, homological, homologous, related, homogeneous, homogenous, uniform

  2. serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group

    "the distinctive odor of a barnyard"

    similar: characteristic, classic, diagnostic, discriminating, distinct, distinguishing, identifying, individual, peculiar, proper, symptomatic, typical
    related: idiosyncratic, identifiable, pronounced, unmistakable, general, generic, common, normal, regular, usual, especial, particular, special, specific, archetypal, model, paradigmatic
    opposite: atypical, nontypical, uncharacteristic, untypical

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Distinctiveness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Distinctiveness:

contrast, difference, disagreement, discrepancy, disparateness, disparity, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, distance, distinction, distinctness, diverseness, diversity, otherness, unlikeness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Distinctiveness

Words with the opposite meaning of Distinctiveness:

alikeness, analogousness, analogy, community, likeness, resemblance, sameness, similarity

Related Words for Distinctiveness

deviance, divergence, differentiability, discriminability, distinguishability, change, modification, variation, conflict, discord, discordance, dissension, dissent, dissidence, disunity, friction, strife, variability, variance, anomalousness, dichotomy, incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness, nonconformity, disproportion, imbalance, inequality, nonequivalence

Near Antonyms of Distinctiveness

identicalness, identity, accordance, agreement, conformity, congruity, correspondence, parallelism, similitude, equality, equivalence, equivalency, homogeneity, homogeneousness, uniformity

Word Forms of Distinctiveness

Derived words: distinctively (adverb), distinctiveness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Distinctiveness

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Distinctiveness

What does "Distinctiveness" mean?

"Distinctiveness" means marking as separate or different, serving to distinguish. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: marking as separate or different, serving to distinguish.

What is another word for "Distinctiveness"?

Other words for "Distinctiveness" include contrast, difference, disagreement, discrepancy, disparateness, disparity, dissimilarity and dissimilitude. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Distinctiveness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Distinctiveness"?

There are 45 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Distinctiveness". Common alternatives include contrast, difference, disagreement, discrepancy, disparateness, disparity, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, distance and distinction.

What is the opposite of "Distinctiveness"?

Antonyms of "Distinctiveness" include alikeness, analogousness, analogy, community, likeness, resemblance, sameness and similarity. Near antonyms include identicalness, identity, accordance and agreement.

How do you use "Distinctiveness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Distinctiveness" in a sentence: "the pronounced distinctiveness of his style of playing the violin".

Is "Distinctiveness" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Distinctiveness" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Distinctiveness"?

"Distinctiveness" is pronounced /di-ˈstiŋ(k)-tiv/ and divided into syllables as dis·tinc·tive.

What is the origin of the word "Distinctiveness"?

First known use: 15th century.