These two adjectives are closely related.
Distinct means “clearly different, distinguishable” (in fact, note that distinguish has the same root as distinct)—not simply different, but able to be told apart.
There are many distinct meanings to the word play in English.
Distinctive means “uniquely different” or “different in a way which uniquely identifies itself”:
His distinctive nose made him very easy to recognize.
Another, more old-fashioned use of distinctive has it meaning “respectable in appearance”:
What a distinctive gentleman he seems in a suit!
In fact, the word distinguished can be also be used in this way.
More Examples of How to Use "Distinct" in a Sentence
- The distinct colors of a rainbow are easily recognizable.
- According to my textbook, each leaf on a tree is distinct from the others.
- If you could look closely at every snowflake, you'd notice that each one is distinctly different from all the others.
- As I awoke, I could hear the distinct sound of a trumpet could be heard in the distance.
- I can never forget the distinct smell of Anne's favorite perfume, which she wore nearly every day. (link every day)
More Examples of How to Use "Distinctive" in a Sentence
- The distinctive features of this house are its high ceilings and large windows; with a little work, it would make a good investment.
- My favorite author has a distinctive writing style, which I enjoy as much as the characters and plot twists.
- Kim's house, with its bright-green exterior paint, is definitely a distinctive part of the neighborhood.
- John’s face and hairstyle are so distinctive, he could probably use it as a passport.
- Fans around the world appreciate the distinctive voice of Bob Dylan, the legendary singer-songwriter and winner of the Nobel Prize for literature.