Words / B2

dif-uh-RENSH-ee-ayt/ˌdɪfəˈrenʃieɪt/

To differentiate is to see or show the difference between things: differentiate between A and B, or differentiate A from B. Distinguish is a close synonym; differ is what the things do themselves. In marketing, differentiate a product means make it stand out; the word is more formal than tell apart.

Meaning

To see or show the difference between things.

Examples

• “Can you differentiate these two sounds?”
• “It is hard to differentiate the two brands by taste alone.”
• “The rubric helps teachers differentiate strong essays from weak ones.”

Good to know

differentiate between A and B / A from B. Close to distinguish.

Near in meaning

distinguish

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