differently

American  

[dif-er-uhnt-lee, dif-ruhnt‐] / ˈdɪf ər ənt li, ˈdɪf rənt‐ /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of differently

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

Example Sentences

Researchers found that SLAMF6 works differently from many other molecules that suppress immune responses.

From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026

Instead, Nile’s notoriety and status informed Rhys’ choices: “People treat you differently if they know you’re incredibly wealthy. If you have this social stigma of a missing wife, people treat you very differently.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

“I think a lot of younger generations experience videogames differently, and it’s just been around them since they were born,” “Exit 8” film director Genki Kawamura said through a translator.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

Four people who had been stuck in the cycle of sending hundreds of applications and rarely hearing back have shared the one thing they did differently to secure their first jobs.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

For a split second, I see her totally differently than I usually do.

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• individually
• negatively
• separately
• variously