C1verb2K

Differentiate

UK /["/ˌdɪfəˈrenʃieɪt/","/ˌdɪfəˈrenʃieɪts/","/ˌdɪfəˈrenʃieɪtɪd/","/ˌdɪfəˈrenʃieɪtɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˌdɪfəˈrenʃieɪt/","/ˌdɪfəˈrenʃieɪts/","/ˌdɪfəˈrenʃieɪtɪd/","/ˌdɪfəˈrenʃieɪtɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to recognize or show that two things are not the same

In simple words: To find what makes two or more things not the same.

Examples

  • It's difficult to differentiate between the two varieties.
  • I can't differentiate one variety from another.
  • Birds are able to differentiate colours.
  • She can just differentiate between light and dark.
  • Teachers should differentiate clearly between different kinds of correction.
  • The male's yellow beak differentiates it from the female.
  • features which clearly differentiate this product from other similar ones
  • Rules that differentiate between employees on the basis of gender need to be revised.
  • The fertilized egg differentiates into several different cell types.
  • The receptors are developed and differentiated into sense organs.

Usage notes

Used in academic and professional contexts. Avoid in casual conversation unless discussing specific comparisons. Appropriate when explaining concepts or analyzing subjects.

Grammar pattern

differentiate + object

Memory hint

Think of 'different + rate' — you rate how two things are different.

Collocations

  • clearly
  • be important to
  • be easy to
  • be possible to
  • between
  • from
  • clearly
  • be important to
  • be easy to
  • be possible to
  • between
  • from

Synonyms

  • distinguish
  • distinguish

Antonyms

  • confuse
  • aggregate

Common mistakes

  • Using 'differentiation' incorrectly as a verb instead of 'differentiate'
  • 'Differentiate' confused with 'differentiate between' when specifying two items