51³Ô¹Ï

Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

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: , , , , , , ,
    Antonyms: ,
  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 finite distance.ÌýMathematics.Ìý

    1. the amount by which one quantity is greater or less than another.

    2. relative complement.

    3. (of a functionf ) an expression of the form f (x +h ) − f (x ).

  10. a differentia.



verb (used with object)

differenced, differencing 
  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

    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

  7. logic another name for differentia

  8. maths

    1. A – B.Ìýthe set of members of the first that are not members of the second

    2. Often symbolized: A + B.Ìýthe set of members of one but not both of the given sets

  9. heraldry an addition to the arms of a family to represent a younger branch

    1. to have an effect

    2. to treat differently

    1. to settle a dispute by a compromise

    2. to divide a remainder equally

  10. with some peculiarly distinguishing quality, good or bad

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. rareÌýto distinguish

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

51³Ô¹Ï 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. )
Discover More

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.

Discover More

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.
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

As the rhetorical skirmishes and pile-ons continued, it became clearer that the deep-seated differences among local, state and federal officials left few paths for a resolution.

From

"It's really important that we know the difference between these two," Verrelli said.

From

If the sun comes out - it's a two o'clock race, it was a four o'clock qualifying today - that makes quite a bit of difference.

From

"Those six weeks allowed us to be parents together - that made a huge difference. "

From

In the heat of the moment, it may be difficult for a guard to judge the difference - and if they get it wrong, they could be guilty of a crime themselves.

From

Advertisement

Related 51³Ô¹Ïs

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


differdifference threshold