Basic Details
Word: Distinctively
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: In a special way that makes something easy to recognise and different from others.
Synonyms: characteristically, uniquely, unmistakably, particularly
How to Spell Distinctively
Syllables: dis - tinc - tive - ly
Tricky part: The e of ive stays before ly, so distinctivly is wrong. The ct of distinct must also be kept.
Watch out for: distinctivly, distinctivelly, distinktively
Memory tip: Grow it in stages: distinct, distinctive, distinctively. Each step only adds letters; nothing is dropped on the way.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The Kashmiri shawl was distinctively patterned with tiny paisley shapes.
Example 2: Her voice is distinctively husky, so you always know when she is on the phone.
Example 3: The old station is built in a distinctively British style.
Fun Fact
Distinct and distinguish share the Latin verb distinguere, to separate or mark off.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
distinctivelly
a) t
b) c
c) l
d) v
Show answer
c) l. The ending ly has a single l, the same as in lovely.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word distinctively as used in the sentence:
The hornbill's call is distinctively loud and harsh, so birdwatchers know it at once.
a) softly
b) rarely
c) barely
d) unmistakably
Show answer
d) unmistakably. Unmistakably means in a way that cannot be confused with anything else.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
Each region of India cooks rice in its own cyltevinditsi flavoured way.
a) instinctively
b) distinctively
c) destructively
d) distinctly
Show answer
b) distinctively. Instinctively needs a second n and no d; distinctly is three letters shorter; destructively has a u.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A distinctively dressed person is one whose clothes ____.
a) stand out from the rest
b) are borrowed from friends
c) look like everyone else's
d) are always black and white
Show answer
a) stand out from the rest
2. Distinctive and distinctively are built on which shorter word?
a) distinct
b) distant
c) instinct
d) district
Show answer
a) distinct
