individuate

[ in-duh-vij-oo-eyt ]
See synonyms for individuate on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),in·di·vid·u·at·ed, in·di·vid·u·at·ing.
  1. to form into an individual or distinct entity.

  2. to give an individual or distinctive character to; individualize.

verb (used without object),in·di·vid·u·at·ed, in·di·vid·u·at·ing.
  1. to make distinctions: to individuate among one's students.

  2. to become individualized or distinctive: With maturity, the artist individuated.

Origin of individuate

1
First recorded in 1605–15; from Medieval Latin indīviduātus, past participle of indīviduāre “to make individual”; see individual, -ate1

Other words from individuate

  • in·di·vid·u·a·tor, noun
  • un·in·di·vid·u·at·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use individuate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for individuate

individuate

/ (ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊˌeɪt) /


verb(tr)
  1. to give individuality or an individual form to

  2. to distinguish from others of the same species or group; individualize

Derived forms of individuate

  • individuator, 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