different

American  

[dif-er-uhnt, dif-ruhnt] / ˈdɪf ər ənt, ˈdɪf rənt /

adjective

1. not alike in character or quality; distinct in nature; dissimilar.

   The two brothers are very different even though they're identical twins.

   Synonyms:

   contrary, divergent, diverse, unlike

2. not identical; separate or distinct.

   When I asked for directions, three people gave me three different answers.

3. various; several.

   Different people told me the same story.

   Synonyms:

   miscellaneous, divers, sundry

4. not ordinary; unusual.

   I know my new hat is a bit different, but I thought I'd try it out.

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different British  

/ ˈdɪfərənt, ˈdɪfrənt /

adjective

1. partly or completely unlike

2. not identical or the same; other

   he always wears a different tie

3. out of the ordinary; unusual

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different Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing different

• horse of a different color
• kettle of fish, different
• march to a different drummer
• sing a different tune
• wear another (different) hat

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Usage

Although it is frequently claimed that different should be followed only by from, not by than, in actual usage both words occur and have for at least 300 years. From is more common today in introducing a phrase, but than is also used: New York speech is different from (or than ) that of Chicago. Than is used to introduce a clause: The stream followed a different course than the map showed. In sentences of this type, from is sometimes used instead of than; when it is, more words are necessary: a different course from the one the map showed. Regardless of the sentence construction, both from and than are standard after different in all varieties of spoken and written American English. In British English to frequently follows different : The early illustrations are very different to the later ones. The use of different in the sense “unusual” is well established in all but the most formal American English: The décor in the new restaurant is really different.

The constructions different from , different to , and different than are all found in the works of writers of English during the past. Nowadays, however, the most widely acceptable preposition to use after different is from . Different to is common in British English, but is considered by some people to be incorrect, or less acceptable. Different than is a standard construction in American English, and has the advantage of conciseness when a clause or phrase follows, as in this result is only slightly different than in the US . As, however, this idiom is not regarded as totally acceptable in British usage, it is preferable either to use different from: this result is only slightly different from that obtained in the US or to rephrase the sentence: this result differs only slightly from that in the US

Other Word Forms

• differently adverb
• differentness noun
• undifferent adjective

Etymology

Origin of different

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin different- (stem of differēns ), present participle of differre “to scatter, disperse”; differ, -ent

Explanation

Something is different whether it is only a little or completely unlike something else. Not only are your two cats different breeds, but they are also different from your pet tiger. Often followed by the word than or from, different describes something that contrasts with, or differs from, something else. With roots in the Latin differre, meaning “to set apart,” different can also describe something that belongs in a whole other category. More recently, the word has picked up an additional sense — for something that is special or unique, in an extraordinary or sometimes negative way. That tie your dad has with the different kinds of peppers on it is definitely... different.

Example Sentences

The union had pushed for a different approach.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

"During the mid-MP, climatic improvements increased the region's carrying capacity, leading to demographic expansion and intensified contact between different Homo taxa."

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

When “Swinging Party,” by the Replacements, came on my shuffle for the millionth time, I knew I had to do something different.

From Slate • Apr. 12, 2026

"Even though there's a ton of competition, I think we've seen even recently that a new game... can break through if it provides something different," Mac Reynolds said.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

“They are open, Zara. I guess we see different things.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• bizarre
• distinctive
• extraordinary
• offbeat
• peculiar
• rare
• special
• strange
• unconventional
• unique
• unusual