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.
Mathematics. to obtain the differential or the derivative of.
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.
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
SYNONYMS FOR differentiate
1 set off.
3 separate.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR differentiate ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for differentiate
1. See distinguish.
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