differentiate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to form or mark differently from other such things; distinguish.
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to change; alter.
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to perceive the difference in or between.
- Synonyms:
- separate
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to make different by modification, as a biological species.
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Mathematics. to obtain the differential or the derivative of.
verb (used without object)
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to become unlike or dissimilar; change in character.
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to make a distinction.
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Biology. (of cells or tissues) to change from relatively generalized to specialized kinds, during development.
verb
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(tr) to serve to distinguish between
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to perceive, show, or make a difference (in or between); discriminate
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(intr) to become dissimilar or distinct
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maths to perform a differentiation on (a quantity, expression, etc)
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(intr) (of unspecialized cells, etc) to change during development to more specialized forms
Related Words
See distinguish.
Other Word Forms
- differentiation noun
- differentiator noun
- interdifferentiate verb (used with object)
- redifferentiate verb
- self-differentiating adjective
- undifferentiated adjective
Etymology
Origin of differentiate
First recorded in 1810–20; from Medieval Latin differentiātus distinguished (past participle of differentiāre ), equivalent to Latin different(ia) difference + -ātus -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s a big step, seeing as both companies have explored more efficient methods of drug delivery in a bid to differentiate themselves.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
It’s also unclear how effectively Adobe will be able to maintain its pricing power and differentiate its business, Bhatia added.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026
An important advantage of the test is its ability to differentiate pancreatic cancer from other non-cancerous pancreatic conditions, including pancreatitis.
From Science Daily • Mar. 23, 2026
Guerra said Villaraigosa is struggling to differentiate himself in the race because his pitch to voters is not unlike the moderate path taken by Mahan.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026
It was called that to differentiate it from a celluloid collar which was what poor men wore because it could be laundered simply by being wiped with a wet rag.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
