differentiate

verb

dif·​fer·​en·​ti·​ate ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce differentiate (audio)
differentiated; differentiating

transitive verb

1
mathematics : to obtain the mathematical derivative (see derivative entry 1 sense 3) of
2
: to mark or show a difference in : constitute a contrasting element that distinguishes
features that differentiate the twins
how we differentiate ourselves from our competitors
3
: to develop differential or distinguishing characteristics in
What differentiated a laborer from another man …Sherwood Anderson
4
biology : to cause differentiation (see differentiation sense 3b) of in the course of development
cells that are differentiated from stem cells
5
: to express the specific distinguishing quality of : discriminate
differentiate poetry and prose

intransitive verb

1
: to recognize or give expression to a difference
difficult to differentiate between the two
2
: to become distinct or different in character
3
biology : to undergo differentiation (see differentiation sense 3b)
when the cells begin to differentiate
differentiable adjective

Examples of differentiate in a Sentence

The only thing that differentiates the twins is the color of their eyes. it was hard at first to differentiate between the two styles of music
Recent Examples on the Web The ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its total. Lawrence Richard, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024 The better LLMs get, the less and less anyone—including platform gatekeepers—will be able to differentiate what is real from what is synthetic. Nathaniel Lubin, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 Osha and hemlock can often be differentiated by examining their roots and smell. Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2024 The reinforcing effects of investments in service partnerships (to enable strategic focus) contribute to financial outperformance, which frees up more money to, among other things, continue investing in their areas of differentiating advantage while leaving service partners to do the rest. Mohamed Kande and Lang Davidson Of Pwc, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024 The pitching process is open to everyone, something that differentiates the New York Times Games team from other studios. Elie Levine, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 The agency does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its figures but says women and children make up around two-thirds of those killed. Wafaa Shurafa, arkansasonline.com, 1 Mar. 2024 The ministry doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its figures, but says women and children make up around two-thirds of those killed. Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 3 Mar. 2024 The ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its figures, but says women and children make up around two-thirds of those killed. Samy Magdy, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'differentiate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from Medieval Latin differentiātus, past participle of differentiāre "to distinguish" (New Latin in mathematical sense), verbal derivative of Latin differentia difference entry 1

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of differentiate was in 1814

Dictionary Entries Near differentiate

Cite this Entry

“Differentiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/differentiate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

differentiate

verb
dif·​fer·​en·​ti·​ate ˌdif-ə-ˈren-chē-ˌāt How to pronounce differentiate (audio)
differentiated; differentiating
1
: to make or become different in some way
the color of their eyes differentiates the twins
2
: to undergo or cause to undergo differentiation in the course of development
3
: to see or state the difference or differences
differentiate between two plants

Medical Definition

differentiate

verb
dif·​fer·​en·​ti·​ate ˌdif-ə-ˈren-chē-ˌāt How to pronounce differentiate (audio)
differentiated; differentiating

transitive verb

1
: to constitute a difference that distinguishes
the history of the injury also differentiates these two fracturesJ. S. Keene et al.
2
: to cause differentiation of in the course of development
3
: to discriminate or give expression to a specific difference that distinguishes
quickly learned to differentiate sharp pain from dull pain
4
: to cause differentiation in (a specimen for microscopic examination) by staining

intransitive verb

1
: to recognize or express a difference
differentiate between humans and the rest of the primates
2
: to undergo differentiation
when a B cell matures, it differentiates into a plasma cell that secretes antibodiesR. C. Gallo

More from Merriam-Webster on differentiate

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