differ
Americanverb (used without object)
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differs,
present (3rd person singular)
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differed,
past participle, past
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differing
present participle
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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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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differsimple
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differssimple
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have differedperfect
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has differedperfect
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am differingprogressive
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are differingprogressive
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is differingprogressive
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have been differingperfect progressive
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has been differingperfect progressive
Past
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differedsimple
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had differedperfect
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was differingprogressive
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were differingprogressive
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had been differingperfect progressive
Future
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”
Explanation
To differ is to be different, or to vary. Your list of favorite movies might differ from your sister's, especially if you like romantic comedies and she likes action films. Gas prices differ from state to state, and sometimes even from one side of the street to the other. Opinions on politics can often differ within a single family, and sometimes food preferences differ so much that no one can decide where to eat lunch. The verb differ can mean simply "be unlike," but it can also mean "clash" or "dissent." The Latin root, differre, combines dis, "away from," with ferre, "carry."
Vocabulary lists containing differ
"Making Faces"
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Shut Up, This Is Serious
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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.
See Examples For:
These features differ from those documented in previously known mosasaurs.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 15, 2026
But prediction markets differ from polls in important ways.
From Salon ● Aug. 13, 2026
The company’s robotaxis differ from others already on the road because they do not have driver’s controls such as a steering wheel or gas pedal.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
"We may differ in views, but we cannot take the law into our own hands," it said in a statement.
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
Manners are learned, and they differ greatly from culture to culture.
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
The tone of these articles differs markedly from Grossman’s war reporting.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
Hunnam is conscious that his turn in “Monster” differs from the men audiences have come to expect from him in shows like “Sons of Anarchy.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
Chemical studies have shown that material from this dome and other recent volcanic activity differs from the magma released during the giant eruption.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026
Strangers don’t need to know your whole family tree, which is the first way asking for free advice differs from paying a professional.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
Because language is evolving rapidly, and because different people have different preferences, always adopt the language individuals use about themselves, even if it differs from what’s here.
From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater
Officials did not say why the reinstatement dates differed for each player.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
Before the NDIS, disability services differed across states.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
She digitally "disassembled" the fossil one bone at a time and uncovered several anatomical features that differed from known Hesperosuchus specimens.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 30, 2026
Cooper said he concluded the men were armed after observing movements that differed from ordinary punching.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026
But what differed was that talk was no longer sufficient, and the idea of taking action went from a wish to a reality.
From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins
Their mortgage payments were split proportionally to take into account their differing salaries, and the arrangements detailed in a declaration of trust so they would be protected when they came to sell.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
Tahoe straddles California and Nevada, plus several local counties and towns, often with differing guidelines on something as basic as stowing garbage.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
With the show’s upcoming launch, the goal of “Stuart” is not only to entertain audiences, but given its differing terrain from “Big Bang Theory” and its spinoffs, it will also surprise and feel unpredictable.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
"It's historically been quite a difficult relationship, given India and Australia's differing positions during the Cold War," said Teesta Prakash from the Australia India Institute.
From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026
In short, only a few areas of the world developed food production independently, and they did so at widely differing times.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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.
