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

"Designing trees into streets early, and then figuring out win-win solutions to get in utilities and traffic access, is one of the big changes we need to make a difference."

From Science Daily

"The vast difference in care can leave many adults with cerebral palsy with low confidence that they will be able to receive the care they need or have their concerns heard," said Peterson.

From Science Daily

“She will make a huge difference in our department of education. ... I would love for all parents to have rights over their children.”

From Los Angeles Times

The researchers said their next steps are to conduct further studies to identify biomarkers, refine dosages, investigate sex differences and figure out how PNA5 might work.

From Science Daily

The key difference between Bluesky and most other social media platforms is that it is decentralised, meaning it is operated on independent servers and not those owned by the company.

From BBC

Related Words

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