Definition of differentiate
differentiated
;differentiating
transitive verb
1 mathematics : to obtain the mathematical derivative (see 1derivative 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 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 3b) when the cells begin to differentiate
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
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 of differentiate from the Web
-
The company differentiates itself from rivals by offering services to hosts such as renovation work and cleaners.
-
The American military would then have the ability to differentiate between real warheads and decoys carried on the missiles, thus weakening China’s deterrent.
-
Pick a shade that's one shade lighter than the rest of your face, blending it into your foundation so there's no harsh line differentiating the two. 4.
-
Jealous brings to the campaign a personal story that could differentiate him from the field.
-
At the same time, there is a lot of generic negative rhetoric against immigrants, refugees, Muslims, people of color, and the undocumented that does not even try to differentiate one from another.
-
All the various music streaming services desperately try to differentiate themselves with personalization features and the occasional exclusive.
-
So, some big oil companies are now opening new stations and upgrading existing sites, eyeing opportunities in emerging markets where fuel demand is rising and scrambling to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive environment.
-
No performing art is more dependent on — more differentiated by — the individual contributions of its interpreters than ballet.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'differentiate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of differentiate
see 1different
DIFFERENTIATE Defined for English Language Learners
differentiate
playDefinition of differentiate for English Language Learners
-
: to make (someone or something) different in some way
-
: to see or state the difference or differences between two or more things
DIFFERENTIATE Defined for Kids
differentiate
playDefinition of differentiate for Students
differentiated
;differentiating
1 : to make or become different What differentiates the cars?
2 : to recognize or state the difference between I can't differentiate the two colors.
Medical Dictionary
differentiate
playMedical Definition of differentiate
differentiated
;differentiating
1
transitive verb
: to constitute a difference that distinguishes the history of the injury also differentiates these two fractures—J. S. Keene et al2: 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
1
intransitive verb
: to recognize or express a difference differentiate between humans and the rest of the primates2: to undergo differentiation when a B cell matures, it differentiates into a plasma cell that secretes antibodies—R. C. Gallo
Learn More about differentiate
-
See words that rhyme with differentiate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for differentiate Spanish Central: Translation of differentiate Nglish: Translation of differentiate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of differentiate for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up differentiate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!