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

The process of deciding whether and how to formalize a shift in the Fed’s guidance could fall to Warsh, who might see the question differently.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

This unusual evolutionary path helps explain why vertebrate eyes are built differently from those of other animals like insects and squid.

From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026

While hardly anyone bats an eye at re-imagining Shakespeare, Silber said, some people feel differently about musicals, perhaps because musical theater is sometimes perceived as an unserious medium.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

“Said differently, after years of over-hiring and retaining employees when labor was scarce, companies are returning to a more efficient labor force,” Senyek writes.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

“This has washing instructions. If you throw these in the machine, I will think differently of you. But if you don’t wear them, you will hurt my feelings.”

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

Related Words

• individually
• negatively
• separately
• variously