diversify

verb

di·​ver·​si·​fy də-ˈvər-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce diversify (audio)
dī-
diversified; diversifying

transitive verb

1
: to make diverse or composed of unlike elements : give variety to
diversify a course of study
2
: to balance (an investment portfolio) defensively by dividing funds among securities (see security sense 3) of different industries or of different classes
diversify your investments
3
: to increase the variety of the products of
diversify the company

intransitive verb

1
: to produce variety
encouraging farmers to diversify
2
: to engage in varied operations
diversifying into online services
diversifier noun

Examples of diversify in a Sentence

The country is diversifying its energy sources. farmers who want to diversify their crops The new CEO's chief aim is to diversify the company. The company needs to diversify. Many publishing companies have diversified into online services.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The smartest luxury brands diversify their media engagement across multiple platforms while developing platform-specific approaches. Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 The release said many libraries will use the funds to update and diversify their collections. Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025 Among the reversals in growth was a two-year positive trend in manufacturing investments fueled by efforts among manufacturers to diversify their supply chains beyond China, which began during the pandemic. Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 19 June 2025 Through mentorship, the family seeks to increase that number and help diversify their industry. Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for diversify

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dyversefyen "to change, vary," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French diversefier, diversifier "to change, vary, be variable, be different," borrowed from Medieval Latin dīversificāre "to differentiate, differ, disagree, be at variance," verbal derivative of Late Latin dīversificus "varied," from Latin dīversus "turned in different directions, differing" + -i- -i- + -ficus -fic — more at diverse

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diversify was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Diversify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversify. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

diversify

verb
di·​ver·​si·​fy də-ˈvər-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce diversify (audio)
dī-
diversified; diversifying
1
: to make diverse : give variety to
2
: to increase the variety of products of
diversify a business
diversification noun

More from Merriam-Webster on diversify

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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