differentiate

verb

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

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

differentiability

ˌdi-fə-ˌren(t)-sh(ē-)ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

differentiable

ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-sh(ē-)ə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of differentiate

• distinguish
• discriminate

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

Maybe that’s because Scott is trying to differentiate the narrative style of the prologue from Tracy’s chapter. — Keziah Weir, Vanity Fair, 13 Aug. 2026

The chain also differentiates itself by offering both classic burgers and smash burgers — not just one or the other. — Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

Meta initially sought to differentiate itself by embracing open source, launching the open-weight Llama family of models in February 2023. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026

Investors must differentiate between AI capability and financial returns, as massive infrastructure spending by hyperscalers is impacting free cash flow. — Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for differentiate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

differentiate

verb

dif·​fer·​en·​ti·​ate ˌdif-ə-ˈren-chē-ˌāt 

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 

differentiated; differentiating

transitive verb

1

: to constitute a difference that distinguishes

the history of the injury also differentiates these two fractures

—J. 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 antibodies

—R. C. Gallo