Dictionary.com

differ

[ dif-er ]
/ ˈdɪf ər /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: differ / differed / differing / differs on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to be unlike, dissimilar, or distinct in nature or qualities (often followed by from): The two writers differ greatly in their perceptions of the world. Each writer's style differs from that of another.
to disagree in opinion, belief, etc.; be at variance; disagree (often followed by with or from): His business partner always differs with him.
Obsolete. to dispute; quarrel.

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.
Question 1 of 8
Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?
The Sunflower State
The Evergreen State
The Magnolia State
The Mockingbird State
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of differ

1325–75; Middle English differren to distinguish <Middle French differer to put off, distinguish, Latin differre to bear apart, put off, delay (see defer1) be different, equivalent to dif-dif- + ferre to bear

OTHER WORDS FROM differ

un·dif·fer·ing, adjective

Words nearby differ

Dieu vous garde, die with one's boots on, dif, diff, diffeomorphism, differ, difference, difference threshold, different, different as night and day, differentia
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to differ

vary, disagree, diverge, modify, contradict, alter, contrast, squabble, divide, dissent, quarrel, turn, qualify, diversify, digress, reverse, contend, bicker, discord, disaccord

Example sentences from the Web for differ

British Dictionary definitions for differ

differ
/ (ˈdɪfə) /

verb (intr)

(often foll by from) to be dissimilar in quality, nature, or degree (to); vary (from)
(often foll by from or with) to be at variance (with); disagree (with)
dialect to quarrel or dispute
agree to differ to end an argument amicably while maintaining differences of opinion

Word Origin for differ

C14: from Latin differre, literally: to bear off in different directions, hence scatter, put off, be different, from dis- apart + ferre to bear
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with differ

differ

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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
See Today's Synonym