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

The research included fieldwork at multiple military installations and other locations with differing contamination histories.

Read more on Science Daily

Neither story is new, nor do they differ greatly from other tales of paranormal outrage.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Its orotund prose certainly differs from the lean muscularity of the Second Inaugural or the elegiac concision of the Gettysburg Address.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Although circumstances differ in each country, what Japan, the U.S. and Western Europe have in common is debt, now in or approaching triple digits as a share of gross domestic product.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

That differed from the approach OpenAI said it would take to using the likeness of a recognizable public figure, which required that person to opt in.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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