differ
DIH-fuh
Differ (verb) means to be unlike something else in one or more ways. Example: “Prices differ from shop to shop, so it pays to compare.”
verb
1
To be unlike something else in one or more ways.
"Prices differ from shop to shop, so it pays to compare."
"The two proposals differ mainly in cost."
"Opinions differ widely on the best approach."
2
To disagree with someone.
"The two friends differ on where to go for dinner."
"I'm sorry, but I must differ with you about the ending."
"I have to differ with you on that point."
How to use differ
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo not be the same, or to hold a different opinion.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
differ from
differ in opinion
agree to differ
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Word forms
- Plural
- differs
- Third person singular
- differs
- Past tense
- differed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Prices _____ from shop to shop, so it pays to compare.
Etymology
From Old French differer, from Latin differo, "to carry apart" — from dis- ("apart") + fero ("carry").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for differ
See all rhymes for differ →Frequently asked questions
What does “differ” mean?
The word “differ” means to be unlike something else in one or more ways. In plain terms, to not be the same, or to hold a different opinion.
How do you pronounce “differ”?
“Differ” is pronounced DIH-fuh (/ˈdɪfɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “differ” in a sentence?
Here is “differ” used in a sentence: “The two proposals differ mainly in cost.”
What is another word for “differ”?
Words with a similar meaning to “differ” include ablude, dissent, mismatch and vary.
What is the opposite of “differ”?
The opposite of “differ” — its antonyms — are conform and match.
What part of speech is “differ”?
“Differ” is a verb.
Where does the word “differ” come from?
The word “differ” comes from Latin. From Old French differer, from Latin differo, "to carry apart" — from dis- ("apart") + fero ("carry").
Is “differ” a common word?
“Differ” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
Do you say "differ from" or "differ with"?
Use "differ from" to say one thing is unlike another: "British spelling differs from American spelling." Use "differ with" — or "differ on" or "differ about" a topic — to say you disagree with someone: "I differ with him on politics." "Differ from" is by far the more common construction.
What is the difference between differ and vary?
"Differ" compares things to each other: two products differ if they are unlike in some way. "Vary" describes change within one thing or across a range, as in "prices vary from day to day." Something can vary over time without differing from anything in particular.
What is the difference between differ and defer?
They look and sound similar but mean different things. "Differ" means to be unlike something or to disagree, while "defer" means to postpone something, as in "defer a decision," or to yield to someone's judgment, as in "defer to the experts." Mixing them up is a common spelling slip.
