difference

[ dif-er-uhns, dif-ruhns ]

noun

1. the state or relation of being different; dissimilarity:

   There is a great difference between the two.

   Synonyms: contrariety, contrast, divergence, inequality, imbalance, diversity, variation, inconsistency

   Antonyms: agreement, similarity

2. an instance or point of unlikeness or dissimilarity:

   What accounts for the differences in their behavior?

3. a significant change in or effect on a situation:

   His tact makes a difference in the way people accept his suggestions.

4. a distinguishing characteristic; distinctive quality, feature, etc.:

   The difference in the two products is quality.

5. the degree to which one person or thing differs from another.
6. the act of distinguishing; discrimination; distinction.
7. a disagreement in opinion.
8. a dispute or quarrel.
9. Also called fi·nite dis·tance [fahy, -nahyt , dis, -t, uh, ns]. Mathematics.
   1. the amount by which one quantity is greater or less than another.
   2. relative complement.
   3. (of a function f ) an expression of the form f ( x + h ) − f ( x ).
10. a differentia.

verb (used with object)

, dif·fer·enced, dif·fer·enc·ing.

1. to cause or constitute a difference in or between; make different.
2. to perceive the difference in or between; discriminate.

difference

/ ˈdɪfrəns; ˈdɪfərəns /

noun

1. the state or quality of being unlike
2. a specific instance of being unlike
3. a distinguishing mark or feature
4. a significant change in a situation

   the difference in her is amazing

5. a disagreement or argument

   he had a difference with his wife

6. a degree of distinctness, as between two people or things
7. 1. the result of the subtraction of one number, quantity, etc, from another
   2. the single number that when added to the subtrahend gives the minuend; remainder
8. logic another name for differentia
9. maths of two sets
   1. the set of members of the first that are not members of the second A – B
   2. the set of members of one but not both of the given sets Often symbolizedA + B
10. heraldry an addition to the arms of a family to represent a younger branch
11. make a difference
    1. to have an effect
    2. to treat differently
12. split the difference
    1. to settle a dispute by a compromise
    2. to divide a remainder equally
13. with a difference
    with some peculiarly distinguishing quality, good or bad

verb

1. rare.
   to distinguish
2. heraldry to add a charge to (arms) to differentiate a branch of a family

Word History and Origins

Origin of difference¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin differentia, equivalent to different- “scattering, dispersing” ( different ( def ) ) + -ia -ia ( def ); -ence ( def )

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. split the difference,
   1. to compromise, especially to make equal concessions.
   2. to divide the remainder equally:

      Let's take half of the cake and let the three of them split the difference.

More idioms and phrases containing difference

see make a difference ; split the difference . Also see under different .

Synonym Study

Difference, discrepancy, disparity, dissimilarity imply perceivable unlikeness, variation, or diversity. Difference refers to a lack of identity or a degree of unlikeness: a difference of opinion; a difference of six inches. Discrepancy usually refers to an inconsistency between things that should agree, balance, or harmonize: a discrepancy between the statements of two witnesses. Disparity implies inequality, often where a greater equality might reasonably be expected: a great disparity between the ages of husband and wife. Dissimilarity indicates an essential lack of resemblance between things in some respect comparable: a dissimilarity between social customs in Asia and America. See distinction.

Example Sentences

Again, the difference can seem subtle and sound more like splitting hairs, but the difference is important.

From The Daily Beast

One difference was that Chen was herself wearing white gloves.

From The Daily Beast

That is a distinction with a sociological difference—for many, an uncomfortable one to consider.

From The Daily Beast

That is the difference between the protections embedded in our Bill of Rights and the lived lives of our citizenry.

From The Daily Beast

But this may be a distinction without much of a difference—especially since Scalise admitted speaking before EURO.

From The Daily Beast

Is the Bible revelation so clear and explicit that no difference of opinion as to its meaning is possible?

From Project Gutenberg

We accepted the offer, so that they might see the difference between Christianity and their ungodliness.

From Project Gutenberg

And hence the reader can notice the fundamental difference between all other methods and mine.

From Project Gutenberg

The first two figures of the first group are 38, and the first two figures of the second group are 40—a difference of 2.

From Project Gutenberg

We were much alike in our tastes and habits, yet there was enough of difference between us to impart a relish to our friendship.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• change
• characteristic
• contrast
• discrepancy
• disparity
• distinction
• divergence
• diversity
• inequality
• variation