difference

noun

US /ˈdɪf(ə)rəns/

Word Forms

singular	difference
plural	differences

1
countable/uncountable something that makes one thing or person not the same as another thing or person
cultural/social/political differences
difference between:
What’s the difference between these two computers?
difference in:
There’s a big difference in the attitudes of town and country people.
significant/marked/major difference:
the significant difference in sound quality between CDs and records
slight/subtle/minor differences:
There are subtle differences in their arrangement of the music.
crucial/essential/fundamental difference:
The fundamental difference between John and Jake is their attitudes to money.
Synonyms and related words
Difference and differences
difference
contrast
distinction
2
countable usually singularthe amount by which one thing is different from another thing
The same car costs $500 less here, which is quite a difference!
age/price/temperature difference:
Despite this age difference, they fell in love.
There’s a world of difference between liking someone and wanting to marry them.
difference of:
The winner received 2365 votes, and the runner-up 2348 – a difference of only 17 votes.
Synonyms and related words
Difference and differences
difference
contrast
distinction
3

differences
plural disagreements about something
trying to smooth out differences between them
have your differences:
Joe and I have had our differences, but we work well together.
resolve/settle your differences:
The two parties agreed to settle their differences.
irreconcilable differences (=disagreements that cannot be settled):
Journalists were told the talks had broken down because of irreconcilable differences.
Synonyms and related words
Arguments
argument
disagreement
conflict

phrases

make a difference

make no/little difference

tell/see the difference

with a difference

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differences

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differences

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