diff

¹

[ dif ]

noun

1. Informal. difference:

   What’s the diff if I go Tuesday or Wednesday?

2. Computers. an operation that computes and displays the data difference or differences between two files, usually between two versions of the same file: Go back to the original program files you downloaded and run a diff to see what has changed.

   Before you submit your work, always do a diff on it.

   Go back to the original program files you downloaded and run a diff to see what has changed.

verb (used with object)

1. Computers. to compare (data files) and display the difference or differences:

   It’s easier to diff the files if they are in the same repository.

diff.

²

abbreviation for

1. difference.
2. different.

Word History and Origins

Origin of diff¹

First recorded in 1600–25; by shortening

Example Sentences

“I wanted to be in scenes with those characters. I don’t even know if I wanted to be actor as much as I wanted to live in those worlds. I wanted to be in the ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ apartment.

From Los Angeles Times

Before long, she was taking roles in the TV sitcoms like Good Times and Diff'rent Strokes.

From BBC

It's funny, a lot of times, when you look at shows from 10 years ago, 20 years ago, whatever, like when I was a kid “Diff'rent Strokes” was the s**t.

From Salon

C. diff infection is the leading cause of death due to gastroenteritis in the U.S.

From Science Daily

But the team arrived at a different conclusion after sifting through research included in a multicenter study, which included adults treated with oral vancomycin between 2016-2021 for C. diff infection.

From Science Daily