differently

American  

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

adverb

1. in a manner unlike another in character or quality; dissimilarly.

   This home alarm system works differently from the one in your office.

2. in a way unlike a previous way.

   I’m looking at life differently these days.

3. in diverse ways; variously.

   Several of the sauces look similar, but they are differently flavored.

4. in an atypical way; unusually.

   Dressing differently is just part of her bohemian style.

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Etymology

Origin of differently

First recorded in 1350–1400; different ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

And while some chuckled when Everlane and its peers boasted about being tech-savvy, millennial brands did operate differently from their predecessors.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

The only thing that helps me cope is being open about my condition and seeing that people don’t treat me differently.

From Slate • May 23, 2026

So go wander your supermarket a little differently this week.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

"But this could have ended very differently, so I'm really grateful to the local residents who stopped to help."

From BBC • May 20, 2026

But even he gets a nightly stealth interrogation: Have you noticed friends treating you differently lately?

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Related Words

• individually
• negatively
• separately
• variously