differentiate

noun

(geology) Something that has been differentiated or stratified.

verb

(transitive) To show or be the difference or distinction between things.

(transitive) To recognize as different or distinct.

(transitive) To modify so as to create a difference or distinction.

(intransitive) To perceive the difference between things; to discriminate.

(transitive, intransitive, often in the passive voice, biology) To (cause to) go through a process of development called differentiation; to make or become different in form or function.

(transitive) (mathematics) To calculate the derivative of a function.

(transitive) (mathematics) To calculate the differential of a function of multiple variables.

(intransitive) (education) To teach a lesson in multiple different ways in order to meet the needs of more or less advanced students.

Roots

ferofer- · Latin · carry, bear

Synonyms for differentiate

distinguishv contradistinguishv separateadj discernv discriminatev identifyv segregatev differv demarcatev definev specializev characterizev individualizev

Synonyms & related words for differentiate

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Words related to differentiate

Explore words related to differentiate — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include secern, differentiation, dissimilate, differentiator, distinguishable, indistinctive, differentiability, distinction. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for differentiate

Common synonyms for differentiate include distinguish, contradistinguish, separate, discern, discriminate, identify, segregate, differ — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does differentiate come from?

The word differentiate breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root fer-, from Latin fero (“carry, bear”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.