differentiate

[ dif-uh-ren-shee-eyt ]

/ ˌdɪf əˈrɛn ʃiˌeɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR differentiate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), dif·fer·en·ti·at·ed, dif·fer·en·ti·at·ing.

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

to change; alter.

to perceive the difference in or between.

to make different by modification, as a biological species.

Mathematics. to obtain the differential or the derivative of.

verb (used without object), dif·fer·en·ti·at·ed, dif·fer·en·ti·at·ing.

to become unlike or dissimilar; change in character.

to make a distinction.

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

Nearby words

differential stain, differential topology, differential ureteralcatheterization test, differential weathering, differential windlass, differentiate, differentiation, differentiator, difficile, difficult, difficulty

Origin of differentiate

1810–20; < Medieval Latin differentiātus distinguished (past participle of differentiāre), equivalent to Latin different(ia) difference + -ātus -ate¹

SYNONYMS FOR differentiate

1 set off.

3 separate.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR differentiate ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion, nounin·ter·dif·fer·en·ti·ate, verb (used with object), in·ter·dif·fer·en·ti·at·ed, in·ter·dif·fer·en·ti·at·ing.re·dif·fer·en·ti·ate, verb, re·dif·fer·en·ti·at·ed, re·dif·fer·en·ti·at·ing.self-dif·fer·en·ti·at·ing, adjective

un·dif·fer·en·ti·at·ed, adjective

Synonym study

1. See distinguish.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for differentiate

How can we taxonomize their experience, and differentiate it from hallucination, or psychotic break?
Eben Alexander Has a GPS for Heaven|Patricia Pearson|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
How did you try to differentiate your version from that one?
'Godzilla' Director Gareth Edwards Says Godzilla Is a 'God' Protecting Mankind Against Climate Change|Marlow Stern|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He also shared insight into major factors that differentiate ancient vines.
The Pleasures of America’s Oldest Vines|Jordan Salcito|February 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He created the curved Virgule heel as a signature, to differentiate his work post-Dior.
Shoes Fit For A Museum: Roger Vivier’s Virigule Show Opens at Palais De Tokyo|Sarah Moroz|October 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST

They do not differentiate between the self-proclaimed Jewish State and the non-complicit members of that faith.
No, Most Palestinians Aren't Anti-Semites|Maysoon Zayid|May 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
We can in fact hope to differentiate between adaptive and fundamental characters in these animals.
Earthworms and their Allies|Frank E. Beddard
What are the special senses of differentiate, discriminate and distinguish?
English Synonyms and Antonyms|James Champlin Fernald
Of course it is very desirable to differentiate authors of the same name.
Papers and Proceedings of the Twenty-Third General Meeting of the American Library Association|Various
Did she mean to differentiate him from out of the multitude?
Mr. Crewe's Career, Complete|Winston Churchill
This Republic, drunk only with the vanity of its resources, will not differentiate between them and actual power.
Our National Defense:|George Hebard Maxwell

British Dictionary definitions for differentiate

differentiate

/ (ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃɪˌeɪt) /

verb

(tr) to serve to distinguish between

(when intr, often foll by between) to perceive, show, or make a difference (in or between); discriminate

(intr) to become dissimilar or distinct

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

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

Derived Forms

differentiator, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012