difference

American  

[dif-er-uhns, dif-ruhns] / ˈdɪf ər əns, ˈdɪf rəns /

noun

differences plural

1. the state or relation of being different; dissimilarity.

   There is a great difference between the two.

   Synonyms:

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

   Antonyms:

   agreement, similarity

2. an instance or point of unlikeness or dissimilarity.

   What accounts for the differences in their behavior?

3. a significant change in or effect on a situation.

   His tact makes a difference in the way people accept his suggestions.

4. a distinguishing characteristic; distinctive quality, feature, etc..

   The difference in the two products is quality.

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

6. the act of distinguishing; discrimination; distinction.

7. a disagreement in opinion.

8. a dispute or quarrel.

9. Also called finite distance.  Mathematics.

   1. the amount by which one quantity is greater or less than another.

   2. relative complement.

   3. (of a functionf ) an expression of the form f (x +h ) − f (x ).

10. a differentia.

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verb (used with object)

differenced, differencing

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

2. to perceive the difference in or between; discriminate.

idioms

1. split the difference,

   1. to compromise, especially to make equal concessions.

   2. to divide the remainder equally.

      Let's take half of the cake and let the three of them split the difference.

difference British  

/ ˈdɪfrəns, ˈdɪfərəns /

noun

1. the state or quality of being unlike

2. a specific instance of being unlike

3. a distinguishing mark or feature

4. a significant change in a situation

   the difference in her is amazing

5. a disagreement or argument

   he had a difference with his wife

6. a degree of distinctness, as between two people or things

7. 1. the result of the subtraction of one number, quantity, etc, from another

   2. the single number that when added to the subtrahend gives the minuend; remainder

8. logic another name for differentia

9. maths

   1.  A – B.  the set of members of the first that are not members of the second

   2. Often symbolized: A + B.  the set of members of one but not both of the given sets

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

11. 1. to have an effect

    2. to treat differently

12. 1. to settle a dispute by a compromise

    2. to divide a remainder equally

13. with some peculiarly distinguishing quality, good or bad

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verb

1. rare to distinguish

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

difference More Idioms  

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

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Synonym Usage

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. See distinction.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• differences
  plural

Etymology

Origin of difference

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin differentia, equivalent to different- “scattering, dispersing” ( see different ( def. )) + -ia -ia ( def. ); see -ence ( def. )

Explanation

Difference is a word for things that are not the same. Identical twins have few if any differences in appearance. If you dye your hair green, everyone is going to notice a huge difference. People often have differences of opinion. No two people are alike, so there are all kinds of differences between individuals. In math, a difference is the remainder left after subtracting one number from another. Chimps and gorillas are both apes, but there are a lot of differences between them. If something doesn't really change an outcome, you can say, "It makes no difference."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

difference differences differenced differencing

The difference is important because scientists are drawn to Europa by the combination of liquid water, chemistry and energy, which are all essential factors when evaluating whether an environment could support life.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026

MarketWatch Picks: ‘A huge difference in potential earnings.’

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026

Environmental advocates, who have pushed for the change for years, said the new requirements will make a major difference in addressing water pollution.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

The difference is that the Obamas appear to like each other and, especially in the early years of his presidency, had palpable chemistry that induced romantic fantasies.

From Salon ● Jul. 29, 2026

"When you get right down to it, I suppose there's not much difference between eating a pig and eating a guinea pig," he said, holding out his hand to the dragon.

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville

When the train takes off, the students make these personality differences known.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

When it comes to relatability and authenticity, perhaps no better example of the differences between the two men can be seen in their marriages.

From Salon ● Jul. 29, 2026

He says the theory offers "one of the best explanations" for the differences in how people seek support and connection with others.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

Instead, they appear to be shaped by both individual differences and shared experiences, including major social disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026

What are the differences between letters of the alphabet and music pitch names?

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

When you are dead, and stand to me Not differenced, as now, But like again, will you be cold As when we lived, or how?

From Washington Post ● Jan. 27, 2016

If a second map of the exact same area is acquired when there is no snow, the two surfaces can be differenced to produce a snow depth map.

From Scientific American ● Apr. 10, 2012

"David is a point of differenced player and we are looking forward to him making an impact at the breakdown," the Australia forwards coach, Jim Williams, said.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 23, 2010

The echo of the Karstark sunburst was there for those who cared to look, but differenced to make the arms appropriate for House Thenn.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

The crest of a cadet is often differenced like the arms, and thus a wyver or a leopard will have a label about its neck.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 3 "Helmont, Jean" to "Hernosand" by Various

By differencing the NH and SH they magnify the effect. 

From New York Times ● Sep. 22, 2010

This is the earliest specimen of differencing I have met with.

From The Curiosities of Heraldry by Lower, Mark Antony

Every mind has a new compass, a new direction of its own, differencing its genius and aim from every other mind.—We call this specialty the bias of each individual.

From Ralph Waldo Emerson by Holmes, Oliver Wendell

In the Royal Heraldry of our own times the Bordure is not used as a Royal Difference; but its use is retained in Scotland for differencing Shields of less exalted rank.

From The Handbook to English Heraldry by Utting, R. B.

Sir Edmund Mauley in the 14th century is found differencing the black bend of his elder brother by charging it with three wyvers of silver.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 3 "Helmont, Jean" to "Hernosand" by Various

Related Words

• change
• characteristic
• contrast
• discrepancy
• disparity
• distinction
• divergence
• diversity
• inequality
• variation