difference

1 of 2

noun

dif·fer·ence ˈdi-f(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce difference (audio)

ˈdi-fərn(t)s

: the quality or state of being dissimilar or different

the difference between right and wrong

: an instance of being unlike or distinct in nature, form, or quality

noted the differences in color and texture

archaic : a characteristic that distinguishes one from another or from the average

… an absolute gentleman, full of the most excellent differences …

William Shakespeare

: the element or factor that separates or distinguishes contrasting situations

Timing is often the difference between success and failure.

: distinction or discrimination in preference

: disagreement in opinion : dissension

: an instance or cause of disagreement

unable to settle their differences

mathematics : the degree or amount by which things differ in quantity or measure

specifically : remainder sense 2b(1)

: a significant change in or effect on a situation

it makes no difference to me

difference

2 of 2

verb

differenced; differencing

transitive verb

: differentiate, distinguish

… every individual has something that differences it from another …

John Locke

Example Sentences

Noun She knows the difference between right and wrong. There's no difference between the two houses. They look exactly the same. There's a big difference in price. Verb people who cannot difference God's will from their own selfish desires and prejudices

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The difference is likely to be made up with savings—cutting central-heating thermostats by one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) should save 10 bcm—and possible other sources.

Stephen Fidler, WSJ, 18 Sep. 2022 What's the difference between the Lions and fantasy owners possessing D’Andre Swift (144 yards last week)?

Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 18 Sep. 2022 What's the difference between True HEPA and HEPA-type filters?

Samantha Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2022 What is the difference between the Queen's private jewels and the crown jewels?

Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 17 Sep. 2022 Another question is: What is the difference, if any, between harming a patient and standing by while the patient gets harmed by the underlying condition.

Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 16 Sep. 2022 The only difference is that Curly has the confidence bestowed by his attractive features that Jud lacks.

Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2022 Even after three 30-second passes, the difference in the scratch is only slightly noticeable.

Collin Morgan And Jon Langston, Car and Driver, 16 Sep. 2022 The difference between last year and this year is the team dynamic.

San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022

Verb

But that’s largely attributed to the singular genius of coach Bill Belichick, who is famous for his ability to adapt his game plan and players to difference situations each week.

Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 2 Mar. 2018 For the days closest to the equinox, the Harvest Moon rise occurs between 30 and 35 minutes difference each day, as opposed to the normal 50 minutes through most of the rest of the year.

Richard Tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, 5 Oct. 2017 See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin differentia "distinction, distinguishing characteristic," from different-, differens, present participle of differre "to carry in varying directions, delay, differ" + -ia -ia entry 1

Note: Latin differentia was used by Cicero and others as an equivalent of Greek diaphorá, a nominal derivative of diaphérein (see note at differ).

Verb

derivative of difference entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

difference

noun

dif·fer·ence ˈdi-fə-rens How to pronounce difference (audio)

ˈdi-frəns

: what makes two or more persons or things not the same

I can't see any difference between the two designs.

: a disagreement about something

They've always had their differences.

: the number that is left after subtracting one number from another

The difference between six and four is two.

: an important change

A tutor has made a difference in his grades.

单词	differencing
释义	difference 1 of 2 noun dif·fer·ence ˈdi-f(ə-)rən(t)s ˈdi-fərn(t)s 1 a : the quality or state of being dissimilar or different the difference between right and wrong b : an instance of being unlike or distinct in nature, form, or quality noted the differences in color and texture c archaic : a characteristic that distinguishes one from another or from the average … an absolute gentleman, full of the most excellent differences … William Shakespeare d : the element or factor that separates or distinguishes contrasting situations Timing is often the difference between success and failure. 2 : distinction or discrimination in preference 3 a : disagreement in opinion : dissension b : an instance or cause of disagreement unable to settle their differences 4 mathematics : the degree or amount by which things differ in quantity or measure specifically : remainder sense 2b(1) 5 : a significant change in or effect on a situation it makes no difference to me difference 2 of 2 verb differenced; differencing transitive verb : differentiate, distinguish … every individual has something that differences it from another … John Locke Synonyms Noun contrast disagreement discrepancy disparateness disparity dissimilarity dissimilitude distance distinction distinctiveness distinctness diverseness diversity otherness unlikeness Verb differentiate discern discriminate distinguish secern separate See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun She knows the difference between right and wrong. There's no difference between the two houses. They look exactly the same. There's a big difference in price. Verb people who cannot difference God's will from their own selfish desires and prejudices Recent Examples on the Web Noun The difference is likely to be made up with savings—cutting central-heating thermostats by one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) should save 10 bcm—and possible other sources. Stephen Fidler, WSJ, 18 Sep. 2022 What's the difference between the Lions and fantasy owners possessing D’Andre Swift (144 yards last week)? Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 18 Sep. 2022 What's the difference between True HEPA and HEPA-type filters? Samantha Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2022 What is the difference between the Queen's private jewels and the crown jewels? Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 17 Sep. 2022 Another question is: What is the difference, if any, between harming a patient and standing by while the patient gets harmed by the underlying condition. Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 16 Sep. 2022 The only difference is that Curly has the confidence bestowed by his attractive features that Jud lacks. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2022 Even after three 30-second passes, the difference in the scratch is only slightly noticeable. Collin Morgan And Jon Langston, Car and Driver, 16 Sep. 2022 The difference between last year and this year is the team dynamic. San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 Verb But that’s largely attributed to the singular genius of coach Bill Belichick, who is famous for his ability to adapt his game plan and players to difference situations each week. Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 2 Mar. 2018 For the days closest to the equinox, the Harvest Moon rise occurs between 30 and 35 minutes difference each day, as opposed to the normal 50 minutes through most of the rest of the year. Richard Tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, 5 Oct. 2017 See More Word History Etymology Noun Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin differentia "distinction, distinguishing characteristic," from different-, differens, present participle of differre "to carry in varying directions, delay, differ" + -ia -ia entry 1 Note: Latin differentia was used by Cicero and others as an equivalent of Greek diaphorá, a nominal derivative of diaphérein (see note at differ). Verb derivative of difference entry 1 First Known Use Noun 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb 15th century, in the meaning defined above Phrases Containing difference a difference of opinion age difference finite difference common difference all the difference in the world make a difference makes a world of difference make a big difference not make any difference make no difference split the difference same difference potential difference tell the difference what difference does it/that make? what's the difference? learning difference make all the difference made a big difference See More a difference of opinion age difference finite difference common difference all the difference in the world make a difference makes a world of difference make a big difference not make any difference make no difference split the difference same difference potential difference tell the difference what difference does it/that make? what's the difference? learning difference make all the difference made a big difference See More Kids Definition difference noun dif·fer·ence ˈdi-fə-rens ˈdi-frəns 1 : what makes two or more persons or things not the same I can't see any difference between the two designs. 2 : a disagreement about something They've always had their differences. 3 : the number that is left after subtracting one number from another The difference between six and four is two. 4 : an important change A tutor has made a difference in his grades. differencing verb present participle of difference as in differentiating to understand or point out the difference in people who cannot difference God's will from their own selfish desires and prejudices Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance differentiating distinguishing discriminating separating discerning understanding secerning dividing contradistinguishing comprehending demarcating severing setting off grasping knowing parting marking (off) Antonyms & Near Antonyms mixing (up) confusing confounding mistaking mingling lumping (together)
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difference

noun

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing difference

Kids Definition

noun

verb