diff

¹

[dif]

noun

1. Informal.,  difference.

   What’s the diff if I go Tuesday or Wednesday?

2. Computers.,  an operation that computes and displays the data difference or differences between two files, usually between two versions of the same file: Go back to the original program files you downloaded and run a diff to see what has changed.

   Before you submit your work, always do a diff on it.

   Go back to the original program files you downloaded and run a diff to see what has changed.

verb (used with object)

1. Computers.,  to compare (data files) and display the difference or differences.

   It’s easier to diff the files if they are in the same repository.

diff.

²

abbreviation

1. difference.

2. different.

Word History and Origins

Origin of diff¹

First recorded in 1600–25; by shortening

Example Sentences

Early in the show’s run, Todd Bridges’ Willis on “Diff’rent Strokes” defined the big brother, a partner in crime you could get in trouble with but would also stick up for you.

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The researchers are currently working on modifying the system to help combat Clostridioides difficile, commonly referred to as C. diff, a bacterium that can cause diarrhea and colitis, among other symptoms.

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“I wanted to be in scenes with those characters. I don’t even know if I wanted to be actor as much as I wanted to live in those worlds. I wanted to be in the ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ apartment.

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Before long, she was taking roles in the TV sitcoms like Good Times and Diff'rent Strokes.

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It's funny, a lot of times, when you look at shows from 10 years ago, 20 years ago, whatever, like when I was a kid “Diff'rent Strokes” was the s**t.

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