differentiate

[dif-uh-ren-shee-eyt]

verb (used with object)

differentiated, differentiating 

1. to form or mark differently from other such things; distinguish.

2. to change; alter.

3. to perceive the difference in or between.

   Synonyms: separate

4. to make different by modification, as a biological species.

5. Mathematics.,  to obtain the differential or the derivative of.

verb (used without object)

differentiated, differentiating 

1. to become unlike or dissimilar; change in character.

2. to make a distinction.

3. Biology.,  (of cells or tissues) to change from relatively generalized to specialized kinds, during development.

differentiate

/ ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to serve to distinguish between

2. to perceive, show, or make a difference (in or between); discriminate

3. (intr) to become dissimilar or distinct

4. maths to perform a differentiation on (a quantity, expression, etc)

5. (intr) (of unspecialized cells, etc) to change during development to more specialized forms

Other Word Forms

• differentiator noun
• differentiation noun
• interdifferentiate verb (used with object)
• redifferentiate verb
• self-differentiating adjective
• undifferentiated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of differentiate¹

First recorded in 1810–20; from Medieval Latin differentiātus distinguished (past participle of differentiāre ), equivalent to Latin different(ia) difference + -ātus -ate ¹

Synonym Study

See distinguish.

Example Sentences

The real edge won’t come from just faster execution—it will come from how intelligently firms design, govern and differentiate these machine-driven strategies.

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But there are a few things that differentiate the two types of bets.

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“Even as demolitions and smaller, differentiated types of replacements and variations have thinned the ranks of the projects, there remain 886,000 public housing ‘units’ that are home to 1.6 million Americans,” he writes.

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While many competitors are starting small and gradually building larger and larger systems, PsiQuantum differentiates itself with a bold approach.

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Still, he said China supports “common but differentiated responsibilities,” meaning it opposes outside pressure to limit its emissions or reduce coal burning.

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Related Words

• adapt 
• alter 
• diversify 
• modify 
• transform 
• vary