Distinctiveness: meaning, definitions and examples

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distinctiveness

 

[ dɪˈstɪŋktɪvnəs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in branding

The quality of being different or unique, often used in the context of branding to create a memorable identity.

Synonyms

individuality, originality, uniqueness.

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Word Description / Examples
distinctiveness

Used when talking about something that stands out from others because of specific features or characteristics.

  • The distinctiveness of her voice makes her easily recognizable in a crowd
  • The city's distinctiveness comes from its unique architecture and vibrant cultural scene
uniqueness

Emphasizes being one of a kind, without any equal or counterpart, often used to highlight special qualities in people, places, or things.

  • The uniqueness of the handmade jewelry attracted many customers
  • His approach to problems demonstrates a refreshing uniqueness
individuality

Best used when referring to the unique traits and characteristics that make a person or thing different from others, emphasizing personal identity and self-expression.

  • He always dresses in a way that expresses his individuality
  • In a world of conformity, her individuality shone brightly
originality

Refers to the quality of being new, fresh, and inventive, often used in the context of creative works or ideas.

  • Her paintings are known for their originality
  • The originality of his theories impressed the academic community

Examples of usage

  • Her design had a high level of distinctiveness, making it easily recognizable among competitors.
  • The brand's distinctiveness set it apart from other similar products in the market.
Context #2 | Noun

in psychology

The degree to which an individual stands out from others in terms of behavior, personality, or appearance.

Synonyms

peculiarity, singularity, uniqueness.

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Word Description / Examples
distinctiveness

Used to describe something that is clearly different from others and easily recognizable.

  • The distinctiveness of her voice makes her stand out in the choir
uniqueness

Highlights the one-of-a-kind nature of an object, person, or idea. Often used in a positive sense.

  • Her uniqueness as a leader lies in her ability to inspire through compassion
  • The uniqueness of the recipe comes from the blend of traditional and modern ingredients
peculiarity

Often used to describe an unusual or strange characteristic that stands out, sometimes with a negative undertone.

  • The house had a peculiarity that made the neighbors wary of it
  • The professor's peculiarity was his habit of talking to himself during lectures
singularity

Indicates something unique or extraordinary, often with a sense of being unparalleled or not easily replicated.

  • The athlete's singularity in skill left the audience amazed
  • The singularity of the artwork makes it a valuable piece in the gallery

Examples of usage

  • His distinctiveness in the group was evident due to his eccentric behavior.
  • The distinctiveness of her voice made her easily recognizable in recordings.
Context #3 | Noun

in statistics

A measure of how different a particular event is from others in a dataset.

Synonyms

deviation, uniqueness, variation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
distinctiveness

Use this when you want to highlight the attributes that make someone or something different from others in a positive and noticeable way.

  • Her distinctiveness as a leader is evident in her innovative approaches.
  • The distinctiveness of this artwork sets it apart from the rest.
uniqueness

Ideal for emphasizing that something or someone is the only one of its kind, highlighting exclusive characteristics.

  • Her uniqueness was immediately apparent at the audition.
  • The uniqueness of this gem lies in its rare color.
deviation

This word is suitable for situations where there is a departure from a standard, norm, or expected behavior, sometimes carrying a negative connotation.

  • His deviation from the company's code of conduct resulted in disciplinary action.
  • The deviation in the experiment's results was unexpected.
variation

Best used when discussing differences within a set or among similar things, often in a neutral or technical sense.

  • There is a lot of variation in the heights of the plants.
  • The study focused on the variation in test scores among different schools.

Examples of usage

  • The distinctiveness of the outlier in the data set indicated a potential error in the measurements.

Translations

Translations of the word "distinctiveness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 distinção

🇮🇳 विशिष्टता

🇩🇪 Unterscheidbarkeit

🇮🇩 kekhasan

🇺🇦 відмінність

🇵🇱 odrębność

🇯🇵 独自性 (どくじせい)

🇫🇷 distinction

🇪🇸 distinción

🇹🇷 ayrıklık

🇰🇷 독특성

🇸🇦 تميز

🇨🇿 odlišnost

🇸🇰 odlišnosť

🇨🇳 独特性 (dútè xìng)

🇸🇮 razločnost

🇮🇸 einkennileiki

🇰🇿 ерекшелік

🇬🇪 განსხვავებულობა

🇦🇿 xüsusilik

🇲🇽 distinción

Etymology

The word 'distinctiveness' originated from the Middle English word 'distinctiv', which came from the Latin word 'distinctus', meaning 'separated' or 'divided'. The concept of distinctiveness has been crucial in various fields such as branding, psychology, and statistics, emphasizing the importance of being unique or different. In modern usage, distinctiveness continues to play a significant role in defining individual identity and characteristics.

See also: distinct, distinction, distinctive, distinctively, distinctly, distinctness, indistinct, indistinctiveness, indistinctly, indistinctness.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,934, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.