differently

[ dif-er-uhnt-lee, dif-ruhnt‐ ]

adverb

1. in a manner unlike another in character or quality; dissimilarly:

   This home alarm system works differently from the one in your office.

2. in a way unlike a previous way:

   I’m looking at life differently these days.

3. in diverse ways; variously:

   Several of the sauces look similar, but they are differently flavored.

4. in an atypical way; unusually:

   Dressing differently is just part of her bohemian style.

Word History and Origins

Origin of differently¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; different ( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

“I think it matters that there are women in this race. I actually think women govern differently,” Atkins said.

From Los Angeles Times

"The most surprising finding here isn't that male and female mice sleep differently. It's that no one has thoroughly shown this until now," said Rowe.

From Science Daily

"You can see that the fibula of birds is moving completely differently from that of other living reptiles," Manafzadeh said.

From Science Daily

Some materials exhibit 'surface reconstruction', where the surface atoms are organized differently from the interior atoms.

From Science Daily

“He’s cut differently than most,” said Alford, now the running backs coach at Michigan.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• individually
• negatively
• separately
• variously