differ

[dif-er]

verb (used without object)

1. to be unlike, dissimilar, or distinct in nature or qualities (often followed byfrom ).

   The two writers differ greatly in their perceptions of the world. Each writer's style differs from that of another.

2. to disagree in opinion, belief, etc.; be at variance; disagree (often followed by with orfrom ).

   His business partner always differs with him.

3. Obsolete.,  to dispute; quarrel.

differ

/ ˈdɪfə /

verb

1. (often foll by from) to be dissimilar in quality, nature, or degree (to); vary (from)

2. to be at variance (with); disagree (with)

3. dialect,  to quarrel or dispute

4. to end an argument amicably while maintaining differences of opinion

Other Word Forms

• undiffering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of differ¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English differren “to distinguish,” from Middle French differer “to put off, distinguish,” Latin differre “to bear apart, scatter, be different,” from dif- dif- + ferre “to bear, bring, carry”

Word History and Origins

Origin of differ¹

C14: from Latin differre, literally: to bear off in different directions, hence scatter, put off, be different, from dis- apart + ferre to bear

Idioms and Phrases

see beg to differ. Also see under difference; different.

Example Sentences

One caveat is that multiple engrams of differing sizes existing around a common center are deemed to represent similar concepts and are therefore treated as one when calculating memory capacity.

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While their records are similarly unimpressive, the reasons for their struggles differ.

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There, the standards and scores differ based on age and gender, and the tests vary by unit.

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Rules on smartphone use in schools revealed a split with teachers and parents views differing to pupils.

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It says that educational staff "should take care not to 'out' a young person by using a pronoun which differs from the one which the young person usually uses in public".

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Related Words

• alter 
• conflict with www.thesaurus.com
• contradict 
• contrast 
• disagree 
• diverge 
• modify 
• vary