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
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has differedperfect 3rd person singular
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have differedperfect
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am differingprogressive 1st person singular
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have been differingperfect progressive
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are differingprogressive
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has been differingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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differingparticiple
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is differingprogressive 3rd person singular
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differssingular 3rd person
Past
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had differedperfect
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was differingprogressive singular
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had been differingperfect progressive
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were differingprogressive plural
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differedparticiple
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differedsimple
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.
Comedy writer Philip Differ, also a former St Modan's student, recalled Bremner's visit to the school in the 1970s.
From BBC • Dec. 6, 2022
Elite Colleges Differ on How They Aid Poor With affirmative action under attack and economic mobility feared to be stagnating, top colleges profess a growing commitment to recruiting poor students.
From New York Times • Jul. 31, 2013
Why Rates Differ Many factors affect rates, including loan demand, competition and the desire to maintain strong customer ties.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 20, 2012
Assault Statistics of Hospitals and City Police Seem to Differ Felony assaults, along with all other major crimes in the city, have sharply decreased over the last decade, according to the New York Police Department.
From New York Times • Aug. 28, 2010
Instincts Differ in Value.—The fact that man's instinctive tendencies thus come within the range of experience, not only renders them amenable to reason, but also leaves the question of their ultimate outcome extremely indefinite.
From Ontario Normal School Manuals: Science of Education by Ontario. Ministry of Education
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.
