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
də-ˈvər-sə-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce diversify (audio)
dī-
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.
But MediaTek has recently looked to diversify by designing custom chips for data centres. — Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026 Another is by directing government funds to further diversify exports away from China to alternative markets. — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026 The company has moved to diversify suppliers (to reduce import duties), raise prices (to absorb tariffs), and sell its logistics network as a service to other brands (to increase revenues from other retailers feeling the pinch). — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 The successive combinations, industry experts have said, have been driven by desires to diversify economically, and keep up with expensive technology investments that have become necessary in the finance industry. — Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for diversify

See All Rhymes for diversify

Browse Nearby Words

diversiform
diversify
diversion
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diversify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversify. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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
-ˌvər-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce diversify (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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