DIFFERENCE Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

difference

[ dif-er-uhns, dif-ruhns ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the state or relation of being different; dissimilarity:
There is a great difference between the two.
Synonyms: , , , , , , ,
Antonyms: ,
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 fi·nite dis·tance [fahy, -nahyt , dis, -t, uh, ns]. Mathematics.
1. the amount by which one quantity is greater or less than another.
2. relative complement.
3. (of a function f ) an expression of the form f ( x + h ) − f ( x ).
a differentia.

verb (used with object)

differenced, differencing.

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

difference

/ ˈdɪfrəns; ˈdɪfərəns /

noun

the state or quality of being unlike
a specific instance of being unlike
a distinguishing mark or feature
a significant change in a situation
the difference in her is amazing
a disagreement or argument
he had a difference with his wife
a degree of distinctness, as between two people or things
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
logic another name for differentia
maths of two sets
1. the set of members of the first that are not members of the second A – B
2. the set of members of one but not both of the given sets Often symbolizedA + B
heraldry an addition to the arms of a family to represent a younger branch
make a difference
1. to have an effect
2. to treat differently
split the difference
1. to settle a dispute by a compromise
2. to divide a remainder equally
with a difference
with some peculiarly distinguishing quality, good or bad

verb

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

Discover More

�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of difference¹

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

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing difference

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

Discover More

Synonym Study

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.

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

With the current high interest rate environment, this means the difference in mortgage payments can be pretty steep compared to a few years ago.

From

Scientists say subtle differences in the colour of seawater will enable them to count tiny - but critically important - Antarctic marine creatures, from Space.

From

"That shows with the right support, with initiatives and with people that are trying to make a difference in these communities, you can save lives," he says.

From

And as influential left-wing YouTubers similarly rally anti-Yoon protesters, there are also concerns that political differences are being driven ever deeper into the fabric of South Korea's society.

From

With goals flowing, two clean sheets on the bounce and substitutes showing they can make a difference, it showed England could be peaking at just the right time.

From

Related �y��vlogs

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Browse