difference

[dif-er-uhns, dif-ruhns]

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR difference ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the state or relation of being different; dissimilarity: There is a great difference between the two.

an instance or point of unlikeness or dissimilarity: What accounts for the differences in their behavior?

a significant change in or effect on a situation: His tact makes a difference in the way people accept his suggestions.

a distinguishing characteristic; distinctive quality, feature, etc.: The difference in the two products is quality.

the degree to which one person or thing differs from another.

the act of distinguishing; discrimination; distinction.

a disagreement in opinion.

a dispute or quarrel.

Also called finite distance. Mathematics.

the amount by which one quantity is greater or less than another.
relative complement.
(of a function f) an expression of the form f(x + h) − f(x).

a differentia.

verb (used with object), dif·fer·enced, dif·fer·enc·ing.

to cause or constitute a difference in or between; make different.

to perceive the difference in or between; discriminate.

Idioms

split the difference,

to compromise, especially to make equal concessions.
to divide the remainder equally: Let's take half of the cake and let the three of them split the difference.

Origin of difference

1300–50; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Latin differentia, equivalent to different- carrying different ways (see different) + -ia -ia; see -ence

Synonyms for difference

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR difference ON THESAURUS.COM

1. inconsistency, variation, diversity, imbalance, inequality, divergence, contrast, contrariety.

Synonym study

1. Difference, discrepancy, disparity, dissimilarity imply perceivable unlikeness, variation, or diversity. Difference refers to a lack of identity or a degree of unlikeness: a difference of opinion; a difference of six inches. Discrepancy usually refers to an inconsistency between things that should agree, balance, or harmonize: a discrepancy between the statements of two witnesses. Disparity implies inequality, often where a greater equality might reasonably be expected: a great disparity between the ages of husband and wife. Dissimilarity indicates an essential lack of resemblance between things in some respect comparable: a dissimilarity between social customs in Asia and America. 6. See distinction.

Antonyms for difference

1. similarity, agreement.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for difference

diversity, characteristic, divergence, variation, contrast, disparity, inequality, discrepancy, distinction, change, clash, discord, disagreement, argument, controversy, quarrel, debate, conflict, dispute, digression

Examples from the Web for difference

Contemporary Examples of difference

Again, the difference can seem subtle and sound more like splitting hairs, but the difference is important.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models
Carrie Arnold
January 8, 2015
One difference was that Chen was herself wearing white gloves.
Funeral Protest Is Too Much for NYPD Union Boss
Michael Daly
January 5, 2015
That is the difference between the protections embedded in our Bill of Rights and the lived lives of our citizenry.
What Would Happen if I Got in White Cop’s Face?
Goldie Taylor
December 30, 2014
But this may be a distinction without much of a difference—especially since Scalise admitted speaking before EURO.
GOP Boss Gets Help From ‘White Hate’ Pal
Tim Mak
December 30, 2014
The difference was emphasized immediately after QZ8501 went missing.
The Presumed Crash of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 Is Nothing Like MH370
Lennox Samuels
December 29, 2014

Historical Examples of difference

"It makes no difference to you where I got it," said our hero, returning the money to his pocket.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
There was one difference, however, between the surprise felt by the two.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
The difference too is radical; it goes to the heart of the mystery.
'Tis Sixty Years Since
Charles Francis Adams
But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
Ascribes to the difference in each of their tempers their mutual love.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson

British Dictionary definitions for difference

difference

noun

the state or quality of being unlike

a specific instance of being unlike

a distinguishing mark or feature

a significant change in a situationthe difference in her is amazing

a disagreement or argumenthe had a difference with his wife

a degree of distinctness, as between two people or things

the result of the subtraction of one number, quantity, etc, from another
the single number that when added to the subtrahend gives the minuend; remainder

logic another name for differentia

maths (of two sets)

the set of members of the first that are not members of the secondSymbol: A – B
symmetric differencethe set of members of one but not both of the given setsOften symbolized: A + B

heraldry an addition to the arms of a family to represent a younger branch

make a difference

to have an effect
to treat differently

split the difference

to settle a dispute by a compromise
to divide a remainder equally

with a difference with some peculiarly distinguishing quality, good or bad

verb (tr)

rare to distinguish

heraldry to add a charge to (arms) to differentiate a branch of a family

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

Word Origin and History for difference

mid-14c., from Old French difference (12c.) "difference, distinction; argument, dispute," from Latin differentia "diversity, difference," from differentem (nominative differens), present participle of differre "to set apart" (see differ). Sense of "a quarrel" first attested late 14c. Colloquial phrase what's the diff? first recorded 1896.

difference in Medicine

difference

[dĭf′ər-əns, dĭf′rəns]

n.

The magnitude or degree by which one quantity differs from another of the same kind.

Idioms and Phrases with difference

difference

see make a difference; split the difference. Also see under different.