Forms of the word differentiate

Differentiate V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 is one of the verbs that are used very commonly in English tests as well as in everyday communication. Also, because it’s an irregular verb, differentiate doesn’t follow the regular rule. The verb “differentiate” has five different forms: base form, past simple, past participle form, present perfect, and present perfect participle. So what is differentiate‘s past? How do conjugate verbs with differentiate verbs?

Let’s find out with English tivi in the article below.

See more at: Verbs

Differentiate of Definition and Meaning

The word differentiate is a verb that means to make clear or obvious the differences between things.

Base Form (V1) differentiate
Past Form (V2) differentiated
Past Participle Form (V3) differentiated
s / es/ es (V4) differentiates
‘ing’ form (V5) differentiating

Differentiate of Past Simple V2

The verb Differentiate is also employed in its V2 form as “differentiated”’. It is used to indicate the past tense in sentences.

Differentiate of Past Participle V3

The V3 form is identical to the V2 form. The V3 form is “differentiated”. Differentiated is used in the past or present perfect tense. 

+ In the present perfect tense, we use the word V1 as ‘have + differentiated‘ or ‘has + differentiated’.

  • I, you, and we are used as ‘have + differentiated‘. 
  • ‘has + differentiated’ is used for he, she, and it. 

+ If you need to use the past perfect tense, use ‘had + differentiated‘ regardless of the subject.

You might also like: ALL the English Grammar Basics You Need

Conjugation of Differentiate V1 V2 V3 V4 V5

Conjugation table: Differentiate

Number Singular
Present Simple of differentiate I You She/He/It
differentiate differentiate differentiates
Plural
We You They
differentiate differentiate differentiate
Present Continuous of differentiate I You She/He/It
am differentiating are differentiating is differentiating
Plural
We You They
are differentiating are differentiating are differentiating
Present Perfect of differentiate I You She/He/It
have differentiated have differentiated has differentiated
Plural
We You They
have differentiated have differentiated have differentiated
Present Perfect Continuous of differentiate I You She/He/It
have been differentiating have been differentiating has been differentiating
Plural
We You They
have been differentiating have been differentiating have been differentiating
Past Simple of differentiate I You She/He/It
differentiated differentiated differentiated
Plural
We You They
differentiated differentiated differentiated
Past Continuous of differentiate I You She/He/It
was differentiating were differentiating was differentiating
Plural
We You They
were differentiating were differentiating were differentiating
Past Perfect of differentiate I You She/He/It
had differentiated had differentiated had differentiated
Plural
We You They
had differentiated had differentiated had differentiated
Past Perfect Continuous of differentiate I You She/He/It
had been differentiating had been differentiating had been differentiating
Plural
We You They
had been differentiating had been differentiating had been differentiating
Future Simple of differentiate I You She/He/It
will/shall differentiate will/shall differentiate will/shall differentiate
Plural
We You They
will/shall differentiate will/shall differentiate will/shall differentiate
Future Continuous of differentiate I You She/He/It
will/shall be differentiating will/shall be differentiating will/shall be differentiating
Plural
We You They
will/shall be differentiating will/shall be differentiating will/shall be differentiating
Future Perfect of differentiate I You She/He/It
will/shall have differentiated will/shall have differentiated will/shall have differentiated
Plural
We You They
will/shall have differentiated will/shall have differentiated will/shall have differentiated
Future Perfect Continuous of differentiate I You She/He/It
will/shall have been differentiating will/shall have been differentiating will/shall have been differentiating
Plural
We You They
will/shall have been differentiating will/shall have been differentiating will/shall have been differentiating
Conditional Present of differentiate I You She/He/It
would differentiate would differentiate would differentiate
Plural
We You They
would differentiate would differentiate would differentiate
Conditional Perfect of differentiate I You She/He/It
would have differentiated would have differentiated would have differentiated
Plural
We You They
would have differentiated would have differentiated would have differentiated
Conditional Present Continuous of differentiate I You She/He/It
would be differentiating would be differentiating would be differentiating
Plural
We You They
would be differentiating would be differentiating would be differentiating
Conditional Perfect Continuous of differentiate I You She/He/It
would have been differentiating would have been differentiating would have been differentiating
Plural
We You They
would have been differentiating would have been differentiating would have been differentiating
Present Subjunctive of differentiate I You She/He/It
differentiate differentiate differentiate
Plural
We You They
differentiate differentiate differentiate
Past Subjunctive of differentiate I You She/He/It
differentiated differentiated differentiated
Plural
We You They
differentiated differentiated differentiated
Past Perfect Subjunctive of differentiate I You She/He/It
had differentiated had differentiated had differentiated
Plural
We You They
had differentiated had differentiated had differentiated
Imperative of differentiate I You She/He/It
differentiate
Plural
We You They
Let’s differentiate differentiate

See more at: Vocabulary

Example Sentences with Differentiate V1 V2 V3 V4 V5

In this section, we will learn about differentiate sentence examples:

  • Most consumers can easily differentiate our brand’s cereal from that of our main competition.
  • The stone roof differentiates this home from others in the neighborhood.
  • People are differentiating between twin sisters.
  • Jack’s parents differentiated between Jack and his sister.

Synonym Words For Differentiate

Synonym of differentiate word list. Here are a variety of words whose meaning is nearly the synonym of differentiate:

  • distinguish
  • discriminate
  • discern
  • identify
  • determine
  • difference
  • differentialize
  • secern
  • separate
  • individualise

Opposite Words For Differentiate

The antonym of differentiate word list. Here are some words that have nearly the opposite meaning as differentiate:

  • confuse
  • mistake
  • allow
  • associate
  • connect
  • group
  • leave
  • link
  • misinterpret
  • misunderstand
  • mix up
  • unite
  • join
  • combine
  • neglect

You might also like: Best List of Irregular Verbs in English

Some Frequently Asked Questions About Differentiate (Verb)

What is the V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 of differentiate?

The past tense of differentiate is differentiated. The third-person singular simple present indicative form of differentiate is differentiates. The present participle of differentiate is differentiating. The past participle of differentiate is differentiated.

Base Form (V1) differentiate
Past Form (V2) differentiated
Past Participle Form (V3) differentiated
s / es/ es (V4) differentiates
‘ing’ form (V5) differentiating

What is the V2 and V3 form of differentiate?

+ The V2 and V3 form of differentiate is “differentiated“.

What is the sentence of differentiate?

What is the past tense V2 of differentiate?

+ The past tense of differentiate is “differentiated“.

What is the past participle V3 of differentiate?

+ The past participle of differentiate is “differentiated“.

What is the present participle V5 of differentiate?

+ The present participle of differentiate is “differentiating“.

Conclusion

Let’s learn with English TV the structure of the verb “Differentiate V1 V2 V3 V4 V5: Base Form, Past Simple, Present Continuous and Present Continuous and Present Continuous and Present Continuous forms. We wish you all the best of luck.

You should subscribe to the English TV YouTube channel if you want to learn more about the English language and improve your proficiency.

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дифференцировать, дифференцироваться, различать, различаться, отличать

глагол

- отличать, различать; проводить или устанавливать различие, дифференцировать; разграничивать

differentiate duties — разграничивать обязанности
to differentiate prose from /and/ poetry — отличать поэзию от прозы, разграничивать поэзию и прозу
to differentiate between the two functions — разграничивать (эти) функции
it’s wrong to differentiate between pupils — нехорошо по-разному относиться к ученикам

- отличать, составлять отличительную черту

it differentiates drama from tragedy — это и составляет разницу между драмой и трагедией
reason differentiates man from other animals — разум отличает человека от (других) животных

- обыкн. pass делать несхожим; вызывать расхождение

languages become differentiated — языки расходятся
species become differentiated — виды обособляются

- делаться несхожим, расходиться; обособляться, дифференцироваться

languages tend to differentiate — языки обнаруживают тенденцию к дифференциации

- мат. дифференцировать

differentiate on variable — дифференцировать по переменной

Мои примеры

Примеры с переводом

The only thing that differentiates the twins is the color of their eyes.

Единственное, что отличает близнецов, — это цвет их глаз.

It was hard at first to differentiate between the two styles of music.

Сначала было трудно различить эти два музыкальных стиля.

I have known some difficulty in differentiating such attacks from those of epilepsy.

По опыту знаю как трудно отличить эти приступы от приступов эпилепсии.

Возможные однокоренные слова

differentiation  — дифференцирование, дифференциация, разграничение, различение, разделение
differentiated  — дифференцированный
differentiating  — дифференцировать, дифференцироваться, различать, различаться, отличать
differentiator  — дифференциатор, дифференцирующее устройство, блок дифференцирования

Формы слова

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From New Latin differentiātus, past participle of differentiō, from Latin differentia (difference); see difference.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (UK) IPA(key): /dɪf.əˈɹɛn.ʃi.eɪt/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌdɪ.fəˈɹɛnt.ʃi.eɪt/

Verb[edit]

differentiate (third-person singular simple present differentiates, present participle differentiating, simple past and past participle differentiated)

  1. (transitive)
    1. To make different; to change, modify.
    2. To recognize a distinction or difference between two things.
      Antonym: conflate
      • 1871, John Earle, The Philology of the English Tongue
        The word «then» was differentiated into the two forms «then» and «than».
    3. (mathematics) To calculate the derivative of a function.
    4. (mathematics) To calculate the differential of a function of multiple variables.
  2. (intransitive)
    1. To perceive the difference between things; to discriminate.
      • 1964, New York Times v. Sullivan:

        he refused to instruct that actual intent to harm or recklessness had to be found before punitive damages could be awarded, or that a verdict for respondent should differentiate between compensatory and punitive damages.

    2. (education) To teach a lesson in multiple different ways in order to meet the needs of more or less advanced students.
      • 2012 May 16, Michael Alison Chandler, “Teaching for all levels — in one class”, in The Washington Post[1], archived from the original on 2023-02-11:

        Like most teaching, differentiating is a mix of art and science. When it works, «it’s like a jazz rhythm,» said Carol Tomlinson, an education professor at the University of Virginia and an expert on differentiation.

      • 2017 August, Tessa H.S. Eysink; Manon Hulsbeek; Hannie Gijlers, “Supporting primary school teachers in differentiating in the regular classroom”, in Teaching and Teacher Education, volume 66, Amsterdam: Elsevier, →DOI, →ISSN, page 107116:

        Moreover, children of STIP-teachers who showed many types of differentiation activities learnt more than children of STIP-teachers who differentiated less.

      • 2018 June 22, Larry Ferlazzo, quoting Sarah Shartzer, “Response: Ways to Use Tech to Differentiate Instruction”, in Education Week[2], archived from the original on 2022-05-19:

        I use technology to differentiate in my Algebra classroom in many different ways. Sometimes, I put this technology in the hands of students and sometimes I use it myself to streamline a process.

  3. (transitive, intransitive, often in the passive, biology) To (cause to) go through a process of development called differentiation; to make or become different in form or function.
    Synonym: specialize
    • 1930, Robert Evans Snodgrass, Insects: Their Ways and Means of Living:

      In Chapter IV we learned that every animal consists of a body, or soma, formed of cells that are differentiated from the germ cells usually at an early stage of development.

    • 2013, Lauralee Sherwood, “The Peripheral Endocrine Glands”, in Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems, 8th edition, Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, →ISBN, page 723:

      Osteoblasts are derived from stromal cells, a type of connective tissue cell in the bone marrow, whereas osteoclasts differentiate from macrophages, which are tissue-bound derivatives of monocytes, a type of white blood cell (see p. 402).

Synonyms[edit]

  • (to show the distinction between things): differentialize; see also Thesaurus:differentiate
  • (to perceive the difference between things): differentialize; see also Thesaurus:tell apart
  • (to modify): change, transform; see also Thesaurus:alter

Antonyms[edit]

  • (to show the distinction between things): equate
  • (to perceive the difference between things): mix up, muddle up
  • (to modify): leave alone, preserve

Derived terms[edit]

  • differentiation

[edit]

  • differ
  • difference
  • different
  • differential

Translations[edit]

to show or be the distinction

to perceive the difference

math: to calculate the derivative

  • Bulgarian: диференцирам (diferenciram)
  • Czech: derivovat
  • Dutch: afleiden (nl)
  • Finnish: derivoida (fi)
  • French: dériver (fr)
  • German: ableiten (de)
  • Maori: whiriwhiri i te pārōnaki
  • Polish: różniczkować (pl) impf
  • Portuguese: derivar (pt)
  • Russian: дифференци́ровать (ru) impf or pf (differencírovatʹ)
  • Swedish: derivera (sv), (calculate a partial derivative) partialderivera

math: to calculate the differential

education: to teach a lesson in multiple different ways in order to meet the needs of more or less advanced students

Further reading[edit]

  • differentiate in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • “differentiate”, in The Century Dictionary [], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.

Noun[edit]

differentiate (plural differentiates)

  1. (geology) Something that has been differentiated or stratified.
    • 1969, Alexander R. McBirney, Geology and Petrology of the Galápagos Islands, page 185:

      There is no discernable tendency, however, for the differentiates to fall into two extremities, as would be expected if they were trending toward distinct eutectics in a residua system.

    • 1991, Roger H. Mitchell, Petrology of Lamproites, page 10:

      This latter terminology is particularly favored by Soviet petrologists, e.g.. Bogatikov et al. (1985), who believe that any magma typically exhibits both agpaitic and miascitic differentiates.

Other forms: differentiated; differentiating; differentiates

To differentiate is to identify the differences between things, to discriminate among them. For example, if the light is dim at the party, you might find it hard to differentiate between the spicy bean dip and the chocolate sauce.

You can see different in differentiate. This will help you remember that it has to do with finding how things are different, or making them different. For example, identical twins look alike but if you get to know them, personality traits, speech patterns and their likes and dislikes help differentiate one from another. Also, when you wear a team uniform the number on your back helps coaches differentiate between teammates when everyone is playing fast.

Definitions of differentiate

  1. verb

    become distinct and acquire a different character

  2. synonyms:

    distinguish, secern, secernate, separate, severalise, severalize, tell, tell apart

    see moresee less

    types:

    show 19 types…
    hide 19 types…
    know

    be able to distinguish, recognize as being different

    discern, discriminate, know apart

    recognize or perceive the difference

    label

    distinguish (an element or atom) by using a radioactive isotope or an isotope of unusual mass for tracing through chemical reactions

    label

    distinguish (as a compound or molecule) by introducing a labeled atom

    sex

    tell the sex (of young chickens)

    individualise, individualize

    make or mark or treat as individual

    contrast

    put in opposition to show or emphasize differences

    severalise, severalize

    distinguish or separate

    contradistinguish

    distinguish by contrasting qualities

    decouple, dissociate

    regard as unconnected

    demarcate

    separate clearly, as if by boundaries

    discriminate, separate, single out

    treat differently on the basis of sex or race

    stratify

    divide society into social classes or castes

    insulate, isolate

    place or set apart

    subtilize

    mark fine distinctions and subtleties, as among words

    hive off

    remove from a group and make separate

    segregate

    separate by race or religion; practice a policy of racial segregation

    redline

    discriminate in selling or renting housing in certain areas of a neighborhood

    disadvantage, disfavor, disfavour

    put at a disadvantage; hinder, harm

    type of:

    identify, place

    recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something

  3. verb

    be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense

    synonyms:

    distinguish, mark

    mark

    designate as if by a mark

  4. verb

    become different during development

    “cells
    differentiate

    see moresee less

    Antonyms:

    dedifferentiate

    lose specialization in form or function

    type of:

    develop

    grow, progress, unfold, or evolve through a process of evolution, natural growth, differentiation, or a conducive environment

  5. verb

    evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment

  6. verb

    calculate a derivative; take the derivative

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘differentiate’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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    • See Also:
      • differential equation
      • differential gear
      • differential geometry
      • differential operator
      • differential psychology
      • differential quotient
      • differential rate
      • differential topology
      • differential weathering
      • differential windlass
      • differentiate
      • differentiation
      • differentiator
      • difficile
      • difficult
      • difficulty
      • diffidence
      • diffident
      • diffluence
      • diffluent
      • Difflugia
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Inflections of ‘differentiate‘ (v): (⇒ conjugate)
differentiates
v 3rd person singular
differentiating
v pres p
differentiated
v past
differentiated
v past p

WordReference Random House Learner’s Dictionary of American English © 2023

dif•fer•en•ti•ate /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃiˌeɪt/USA pronunciation  
v., -at•ed, -at•ing. 

  1. to form or mark differently from other such things; distinguish:[+ object + from + object]The chrome trim and tinted glass differentiate the high-price model from the standard one.
  2. to see, understand, recognize, or perceive the difference in or between: [+ between]learned to differentiate between French and German wines.[+ object + from + object]learned to differentiate a French wine from a German wine.

dif•fer•en•ti•a•tion /ˌdɪfəˌrɛnʃiˈeɪʃən/USA pronunciation  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2023

dif•fer•en•ti•ate 
(dif′ə renshē āt′),USA pronunciation v., -at•ed, -at•ing. 
v.t.

  1. to form or mark differently from other such things;
    distinguish.
  2. to change;
    alter.
  3. to perceive the difference in or between.
  4. to make different by modification, as a biological species.
  5. Mathematicsto obtain the differential or the derivative of.

v.i.

  1. to become unlike or dissimilar;
    change in character.
  2. to make a distinction.
  3. [Biol.](of cells or tissues) to change from relatively generalized to specialized kinds, during development.
  • Medieval Latin differentiātus distinguished (past participle of differentiāre), equivalent. to Latin different(ia) difference + -ātusate1
  • 1810–20

    • 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged set off. See distinguish. 
    • 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged separate.


Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

differentiate /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃɪˌeɪt/ vb

  1. (transitive) to serve to distinguish between
  2. when intr, often followed by between: to perceive, show, or make a difference (in or between); discriminate
  3. (intransitive) to become dissimilar or distinct
  4. to perform a differentiation on (a quantity, expression, etc)
  5. (intransitive) (of unspecialized cells, etc) to change during development to more specialized forms


ˌdifferˈentiˌator n

differentiate‘ also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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  • Top Definitions
  • Synonyms
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  • British

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

[ dif-uhren-shee-eyt ]

/ ˌdɪf əˈrɛn ʃiˌeɪt /

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.


verb (used with object), dif·fer·en·ti·at·ed, dif·fer·en·ti·at·ing.

to form or mark differently from other such things; distinguish.

to change; alter.

to perceive the difference in or between.

to make different by modification, as a biological species.

verb (used without object), dif·fer·en·ti·at·ed, dif·fer·en·ti·at·ing.

to become unlike or dissimilar; change in character.

to make a distinction.

Biology. (of cells or tissues) to change from relatively generalized to specialized kinds, during development.

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Origin of differentiate

First recorded in 1810–20; from Medieval Latin differentiātus distinguished (past participle of differentiāre ), equivalent to Latin different(ia) difference + -ātus -ate1

synonym study for differentiate

OTHER WORDS FROM differentiate

dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion, nounin·ter·dif·fer·en·ti·ate, verb (used with object), in·ter·dif·fer·en·ti·at·ed, in·ter·dif·fer·en·ti·at·ing.re·dif·fer·en·ti·ate, verb, re·dif·fer·en·ti·at·ed, re·dif·fer·en·ti·at·ing.self-dif·fer·en·ti·at·ing, adjective

un·dif·fer·en·ti·at·ed, adjective

Words nearby differentiate

differential quotient, differential rate, differential topology, differential weathering, differential windlass, differentiate, differentiation, differentiator, differently, different strokes for different folks, difficile

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to differentiate

comprehend, discern, discriminate, extricate, separate, understand, adapt, alter, diversify, modify, transform, vary, characterize, contrast, demarcate, individualize, individuate, know, mark, redline

How to use differentiate in a sentence

  • What differentiates Verify is that it focuses primarily on video, Ostrow said, though as the new team comes together they will also produce more articles.

  • There are a few popular types of reusable hand warmers, differentiated by heating mechanism.

  • They’re motivated first and foremost by winning the war for talent, but also by opportunities to differentiate themselves with customers and investors.

  • Yet few have been taught how to differentiate between the streams to information to understand when and how they are being lied to and manipulated.

  • So now, it’s up to diners to differentiate between decisions made with public health in mind, and those fueled by economic or political pressures.

  • How can we taxonomize their experience, and differentiate it from hallucination, or psychotic break?

  • How did you try to differentiate your version from that one?

  • He also shared insight into major factors that differentiate ancient vines.

  • He created the curved Virgule heel as a signature, to differentiate his work post-Dior.

  • They do not differentiate between the self-proclaimed Jewish State and the non-complicit members of that faith.

  • Application of gentle heat or appropriate chemicals will serve to differentiate them.

  • They consented to differentiate the armor so that a body could tell one team from the other, but that was the most they would do.

  • As it is difficult to differentiate this second form from the first, the same precaution should be used.

  • These characteristics which differentiate beings can therefore be called qualities only figuratively.

  • I cannot say it often enough, that we must carefully differentiate between doctrine and life.

British Dictionary definitions for differentiate


verb

(tr) to serve to distinguish between

(when intr, often foll by between) to perceive, show, or make a difference (in or between); discriminate

(intr) to become dissimilar or distinct

maths to perform a differentiation on (a quantity, expression, etc)

(intr) (of unspecialized cells, etc) to change during development to more specialized forms

Derived forms of differentiate

differentiator, noun

Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

- mark as different (syn: distinguish, separate, tell)
- be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense (syn: distinguish, mark)
- calculate a derivative; take the derivative
- become different during development

cells differentiate

- evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment (syn: specialize)
- become distinct and acquire a different character

Extra examples

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…

I have known some difficulty in differentiating such attacks from those of epilepsy.

Word forms

verb
I/you/we/they: differentiate
he/she/it: differentiates
present participle: differentiating
past tense: differentiated
past participle: differentiated

transitive verb

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

Synonyms

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

What most differentiates the two in your mind?


Jeff Benjamin, Billboard, 7 Apr. 2023





In his 2009 talk, Romer differentiated the charter city from old-fashioned empire.


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The strategist also differentiated Biden’s approach to Trump from that of 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who assumed the former president would be a weak opponent.


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The model’s aluminum bodywork’s distinct curves differentiated it from the standard 356 convertible of the era.


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Second, why differentiate the Pro Max for only a single generation?


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In an interview this week with British journalist Piers Morgan, DeSantis also differentiated himself from Trump with some mild criticism.


Steven Lemongello, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2023





The varying lengths of the tube’s tongues differentiates the notes, offering the deep sound associated with bamboo chimes.


Kate Mcgregor, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2023





The two candidates running for Palos Park mayor have differentiated themselves as a seasoned board member and a candidate with a new vision.


Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2023



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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 13 Apr. 2023.

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Last Updated:
11 Apr 2023
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Merriam-Webster unabridged


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dif·fer·en·ti·ate

 (dĭf′ə-rĕn′shē-āt′)

v. dif·fer·en·ti·at·ed, dif·fer·en·ti·at·ing, dif·fer·en·ti·ates

v.tr.

1. To constitute the distinction between: subspecies that are differentiated by the markings on their wings.

2. To perceive or show the difference in or between; discriminate.

3. To make different by alteration or modification.

4. Mathematics To calculate the derivative or differential of (a function).

v.intr.

1. To become distinct or specialized; acquire a different character.

2. To make distinctions; discriminate.

3. Biology To undergo differentiation.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

differentiate

(ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃɪˌeɪt)

vb

1. (tr) to serve to distinguish between

2. (when: intr, often foll by between) to perceive, show, or make a difference (in or between); discriminate

3. (intr) to become dissimilar or distinct

4. (Mathematics) maths to perform a differentiation on (a quantity, expression, etc)

5. (Biology) (intr) (of unspecialized cells, etc) to change during development to more specialized forms

ˌdifferˈentiˌator n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

dif•fer•en•ti•ate

(ˌdɪf əˈrɛn ʃiˌeɪt)

v. -at•ed, -at•ing. v.t.

1. to form or mark differently from other such things; distinguish.

2. to perceive the difference in or between.

3. to make different by modification, as a biological species.

4. Math. to obtain the differential or the derivative of.

v.i.

5. to become unlike or dissimilar.

6. to make a distinction.

7. (of cells or tissues) to change from relatively generalized to specialized kinds during development.

[1810–20; < Medieval Latin]

dif`fer•en′ti•a•ble, adj.

dif`fer•en`ti•a′tion, n.

dif`fer•en′ti•a`tor, n.

Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

differentiate

Past participle: differentiated
Gerund: differentiating

Imperative
differentiate
differentiate
Present
I differentiate
you differentiate
he/she/it differentiates
we differentiate
you differentiate
they differentiate
Preterite
I differentiated
you differentiated
he/she/it differentiated
we differentiated
you differentiated
they differentiated
Present Continuous
I am differentiating
you are differentiating
he/she/it is differentiating
we are differentiating
you are differentiating
they are differentiating
Present Perfect
I have differentiated
you have differentiated
he/she/it has differentiated
we have differentiated
you have differentiated
they have differentiated
Past Continuous
I was differentiating
you were differentiating
he/she/it was differentiating
we were differentiating
you were differentiating
they were differentiating
Past Perfect
I had differentiated
you had differentiated
he/she/it had differentiated
we had differentiated
you had differentiated
they had differentiated
Future
I will differentiate
you will differentiate
he/she/it will differentiate
we will differentiate
you will differentiate
they will differentiate
Future Perfect
I will have differentiated
you will have differentiated
he/she/it will have differentiated
we will have differentiated
you will have differentiated
they will have differentiated
Future Continuous
I will be differentiating
you will be differentiating
he/she/it will be differentiating
we will be differentiating
you will be differentiating
they will be differentiating
Present Perfect Continuous
I have been differentiating
you have been differentiating
he/she/it has been differentiating
we have been differentiating
you have been differentiating
they have been differentiating
Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been differentiating
you will have been differentiating
he/she/it will have been differentiating
we will have been differentiating
you will have been differentiating
they will have been differentiating
Past Perfect Continuous
I had been differentiating
you had been differentiating
he/she/it had been differentiating
we had been differentiating
you had been differentiating
they had been differentiating
Conditional
I would differentiate
you would differentiate
he/she/it would differentiate
we would differentiate
you would differentiate
they would differentiate
Past Conditional
I would have differentiated
you would have differentiated
he/she/it would have differentiated
we would have differentiated
you would have differentiated
they would have differentiated

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Verb 1. differentiate — mark as different; «We distinguish several kinds of maple»

distinguish, secern, secernate, severalise, severalize, tell apart, separate, tell

know — be able to distinguish, recognize as being different; «The child knows right from wrong»

identify, place — recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something; «She identified the man on the ‘wanted’ poster»

discriminate, know apart — recognize or perceive the difference

label — distinguish (an element or atom) by using a radioactive isotope or an isotope of unusual mass for tracing through chemical reactions

label — distinguish (as a compound or molecule) by introducing a labeled atom

individualise, individualize — make or mark or treat as individual; «The sounds were individualized by sharpness and tone»

contrast — put in opposition to show or emphasize differences; «The middle school teacher contrasted her best student’s work with that of her weakest student»

severalise, severalize — distinguish or separate

contradistinguish — distinguish by contrasting qualities

decouple, dissociate — regard as unconnected; «you must dissociate these two events!»; «decouple our foreign policy from ideology»

demarcate — separate clearly, as if by boundaries

discriminate, single out, separate — treat differently on the basis of sex or race

stratify — divide society into social classes or castes; «Income distribution often stratifies a society»

2. differentiate — be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense; «His modesty distinguishes him from his peers»

distinguish, mark

mark — designate as if by a mark; «This sign marks the border»

characterize, characterise, qualify — describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of; «You can characterize his behavior as that of an egotist»; «This poem can be characterized as a lament for a dead lover»

characterise, characterize — be characteristic of; «What characterizes a Venetian painting?»

3. differentiate — calculate a derivative; take the derivative

math, mathematics, maths — a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement

compute, calculate, cipher, cypher, figure, reckon, work out — make a mathematical calculation or computation

integrate — calculate the integral of; calculate by integration

4. differentiate — become different during development; «cells differentiate»

develop — grow, progress, unfold, or evolve through a process of evolution, natural growth, differentiation, or a conducive environment; «A flower developed on the branch»; «The country developed into a mighty superpower»; «The embryo develops into a fetus»; «This situation has developed over a long time»

dedifferentiate — lose specialization in form or function

5. differentiate — evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment

speciate, specialise, specialize

evolve — undergo development or evolution; «Modern man evolved a long time ago»

6. differentiate — become distinct and acquire a different character

dissimilate — become dissimilar or less similar; «These two related tribes of people gradually dissimilated over time»

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

differentiate

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

differentiate

verb

1. To recognize as being different:

2. To make noticeable or different:

The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

يُفَرِّقيُفَرِّق بَيْنَ، يُمَيِّز

rozlišovatdělat rozdílodlišitrozlišit

differentiere mellemgøre forskel

derivoida

gera greinarmun á

razlikovati

ayırım yapmakayırt etmekfarkı görmekfarklı muamele etmek

differentiate

[ˌdɪfəˈrenʃɪeɪt]

Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

differentiate

[ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃieɪt]

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

differentiate

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

difference

(ˈdifrəns) noun

1. what makes one thing unlike another. I can’t see any difference between these two pictures; It doesn’t make any difference to me whether you go or stay; There’s not much difference between them.

2. an act of differing, especially a disagreement. We had a difference of opinion; Have they settled their differences? (= Have they stopped arguing?).

3. the amount by which one quantity or number is greater than another. If you buy it for me I’ll give you $6 now and make up the difference later.

ˈdifferent adjective

(often with from) not the same. These gloves are not a pair – they’re different; My ideas are different from his.

ˌdiffeˈrentiate (-ˈrenʃieit) verb

1. to see or be able to tell a difference (between). I cannot even differentiate a blackbird and a starling.

2. (with between) to treat differently. She does not differentiate between her two children although one is adopted.

ˈdiffeˌrentiˈation noun


different is followed by from (not than).

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

differentiate | differ | Related terms |

Differ is a related term of differentiate.

As verbs the difference between differentiate and differ

is that differentiate is to show, or be the distinction between two things while differ is not to have the same traits, characteristics.

Other Comparisons: What’s the difference?

differentiate

English

Verb

(differentiat)

  • To show, or be the distinction between two things.
  • * Earle
    The word «then» was differentiated into the two forms «then» and «than».
  • * {{quote-book, year=1933, passage=The mass of the rich and poor are differentiated by their incomes and nothing else, and the average millionaire is only the average dishwasher dressed in a new suit.
    , author=George Orwell, title=Down and Out in Paris and London, chapter=Ch. XXII, page=120, publisher=Harvest / Harcourt paperback edition}}
  • To perceive the difference between things; to discriminate.
  • * {{quote-book, title=, year=1964, passage=he refused to instruct that actual intent to harm or recklessness had to be found before punitive damages could be awarded, or that a verdict for respondent should differentiate between compensatory and punitive damages.}}
  • (intransitive) To modify, or be modified.
  • (mathematics) To calculate the derivative of a function.
  • (mathematics) To calculate the differential of a function of multiple variables.
  • (biology) To produce distinct organs or to achieve specific functions by a process of development called differentiation.
  • * {{quote-book, title=, year=1930, author=Robert Evans Snodgrass, passage=In Chapter IV we learned that every animal consists of a body, or soma, formed of cells that are differentiated from the germ cells usually at an early stage of development.}}
  • Derived terms

    * differentiation

    differ

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)

  • Not to have the same traits, characteristics.
  • To have diverging opinions, disagree.
  • * Canning
    If the honourable gentleman differs with me on that subject, I differ as heartily with him, and shall always rejoice to differ.
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