differentiate

verb

dif·fer·en·ti·ate ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-shē-ˌāt

differentiated; differentiating

Synonyms of differentiate next

transitive verb

mathematics : to obtain the mathematical derivative (see derivative entry 1 sense 3) of

: 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

: to develop differential or distinguishing characteristics in

What differentiated a laborer from another man …—

Sherwood Anderson

biology : to cause differentiation (see differentiation sense 3b) of in the course of development

cells that are differentiated from stem cells

: to express the specific distinguishing quality of : discriminate

differentiate poetry and prose

intransitive verb

: to recognize or give expression to a difference

difficult to differentiate between the two

: to become distinct or different in character

biology : to undergo differentiation (see differentiation sense 3b)

when the cells begin to differentiate

differentiability

ˌdi-fə-ˌren(t)-sh(ē-)ə-ˈbi-lə-tē

noun

differentiable

ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-sh(ē-)ə-bəl

adjective

Example Sentences

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 That threatens to encroach on another area in which tax-prep companies try to differentiate themselves from the IRS by employing legions of accountants and other experts to serve filers in premium product lines or develop software tools to guide filers while completing their returns. —

Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 15 May 2023 Goodcarbon is disrupting the status quo for carbon credits by bringing its own standards and framework to the carbon market since existing standards aren’t fully able to differentiate good from bad carbon. —

Marianne Lehnis, Forbes, 20 Apr. 2023 Loni Bio Laundry Detergent Image courtesy Loni Labs The unique features of Bio enzyme laundry detergent differentiate it from regular detergents. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2023 Munger differentiated between investments in stocks versus sectors like real estate because stocks can be bought and sold quicker. —

Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2023 This is a bit of a differentiating factor between us and the other niche players in the U.S., neither of which – international or domestic – has had product and tech or direct-to-consumer in their tradition and DNA. —

Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Feb. 2023 How does this hair style differentiate from other Met Gala or red carpet looks Quannah has worn in the past? —

Harper's BAZAAR, 2 May 2023 However, Penney said early signs are often difficult to differentiate from less rare infections. —

Alexander Tin, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2023 The study’s corresponding author, Sussex material-physics lecturer Conor Boland, differentiated his lab’s work, which uses electromechanical sensing, from the Northwestern bandage, which uses electrochemical sensing, but said both approaches can have legitimate uses in human health care. —

IEEE Spectrum, 22 Apr. 2023 See More

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

See more words from the same year