diversify

[dih-vur-suh-fahy, dahy-]

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verb (used with object), di·ver·si·fied, di·ver·si·fy·ing.

to make diverse, as in form or character; give variety or diversity to; variegate.

to invest in different types of (securities, industries, etc.).

to produce different types of (manufactured products, crops, etc.).

verb (used without object), di·ver·si·fied, di·ver·si·fy·ing.

to invest in different types of industries, securities, etc.

to add different types of manufactured products, crops, etc., especially to a business.

Origin of diversify

1400–50; late Middle English < Anglo-French diversifier < Medieval Latin dīversificāre, equivalent to Latin dīvers(us) diverse + -ificāre -ify

Related formsdi·ver·si·fi·a·ble, adjectivedi·ver·si·fi·a·bil·i·ty, noundi·ver·si·fi·er, nouno·ver·di·ver·si·fy, verb, o·ver·di·ver·si·fied, o·ver·di·ver·si·fy·ing.un·di·ver·si·fy·ing, noun

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

Related Words for diversify

transform, expand, variegate, modify, mix, assort, change, alter, vary

Examples from the Web for diversify

Contemporary Examples of diversify

In their effort to diversify their revenue, they have capitalized on traditional practices to new advantage.
ISIS, Boko Haram, and the Growing Role of Human Trafficking in 21st Century Terrorism
Louise I. Shelley
December 26, 2014
Republicans have failed to diversify their party in the year since proclaiming the urgency of a bigger tent.
The GOP Failed to Reform...and It Doesn't Matter
Jamelle Bouie
March 18, 2014
Actors are constantly talking about their desire to diversify themselves and play different characters.
How Jennifer Lawrence Took Over Hollywood. (It’s Not Just Because of Her Charm.)
Kevin Fallon
December 20, 2013
This would enable the company to diversify and compensate for losses in Europe by reaching East Asian markets.
New Concerns that Russia is Positioning Itself to Influence Israel's Natural Gas Policy
Allison Good
November 7, 2013
I don't have the option to diversify by selling the options so diversifying means additional savings.
Ask the Blogger
Megan McArdle
November 26, 2012

Historical Examples of diversify

Now, however, there is a growing tendency to diversify the product.
The Fabric of Civilization
Anonymous
The principal problem was to force the planters to diversify.
Virginia Under Charles I And Cromwell, 1625-1660
Wilcomb E. Washburn
To diversify our crops and crop no more than we can cultivate.
Chapters in Rural Progress
Kenyon L. Butterfield
It is intellectual culture which contributes most to diversify the features.
Western Characters
J. L. McConnel
What may be expected in a court is only to diversify l'ennui.
Life and Times of Her Majesty Caroline Matilda, Vol. I (of III)
C. F. Lachelles Wraxall

British Dictionary definitions for diversify

diversify

verb -fies, -fying or -fied

(tr) to create different forms of; variegate; vary

(of an enterprise) to vary (products, operations, etc) in order to spread risk, expand, etc

to distribute (investments) among several securities in order to spread risk

Derived Formsdiversifiable, adjectivediversifiability, noundiversifier, noun

Word Origin for diversify

C15: from Old French diversifier, from Medieval Latin dīversificāre, from Latin dīversus diverse + facere to make

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

Word Origin and History for diversify

late 15c., from Old French diversifier (13c.) "to make diverse," from Medieval Latin diversificare, from Latin diversus (see diverse). Economic sense is from 1939. Related: Diversified; diversifying.