differ
Americanverb (used without object)
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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.
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to disagree in opinion, belief, etc.; be at variance; disagree (often followed by with orfrom ).
His business partner always differs with him.
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Obsolete. to dispute; quarrel.
verb
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(often foll by from) to be dissimilar in quality, nature, or degree (to); vary (from)
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to be at variance (with); disagree (with)
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dialect to quarrel or dispute
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to end an argument amicably while maintaining differences of opinion
Other Word Forms
- undiffering adjective
Etymology
Origin of differ
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”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He had both humans and AI large language models complete a standard test for measuring creativity: Think of 10 nouns that differ as widely as possible.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
Defendants in the United States can be tried at both the state and federal level for the same crime, although the charges tend to differ -- as they do for Mangione.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
But after indulging in a few spoonfuls, my palate begged to differ, craving more in between bites of curried rice and meat.
From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026
"I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine."
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
“They’ll take us in some time. But that’s how we differ, darling. I never thought about anything.”
From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway
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.
