individuate

verb

in·​di·​vid·​u·​ate ˌin-də-ˈvi-jə-ˌwāt How to pronounce individuate (audio)
individuated; individuating

transitive verb

1
: to give individuality to
2
: to form into a distinct entity

Examples of individuate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Somebody had really taken a lot of effort to get their voices differentiated and individuated. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2023 The time could be better spent individuating the six-headed protagonist. Jesse Green, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023 Each chapter is narrated by a different woman — or spirit, in the case of the deceased Minh — but Minh, Hương and Ann don’t always feel fully individuated as characters. Rhoda Feng, Washington Post, 4 July 2023 The vestiges of paper labels with the names of the dead, the etching of the copper, and the intensely hued colors of the blooming minerals combine to individuate the canisters. Rebecca Horne, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2010 But at varying points, each tries to individuate themselves from their father, and much of the suspense lies in how Rupert schemes to draw them back under his influence. Inkoo Kang, Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2022 This will be the first of many local calls to individuate the most talented artists in specific regions of the world and give them the opportunity to emerge and work within the Condé Nast Global Network. Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2022 The first pieces in this collection are quiet stories of girls individuating within the family or at school. Heidi Pitlor, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2020 The impulse to individuate wild animals by name — to transform camera subjects into characters — is understandable enough in the context of a kid-friendly entertainment. Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2020

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

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of individuate was in 1614

Dictionary Entries Near individuate

Cite this Entry

“Individuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/individuate. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

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