difference
DIHF-ruhns
Difference (noun) means the way in which two or more things are unlike each other. Example: “The main difference between the two recipes is the type of flour.”
noun
1
The way in which two or more things are unlike each other.
"The main difference between the two recipes is the type of flour."
"Can you spot the difference between these two photos?"
"There’s a big difference in price between the two hotels."
2
A disagreement between people.
"The two neighbours had a difference of opinion over the garden fence."
"Despite their differences, the two sisters never stayed angry for long."
"They settled their differences over dinner."
3
The result you get by subtracting one number from another.
"Subtract the smaller number from the larger one to find the difference."
"What is the difference between twenty and twelve?"
"The difference between 10 and 7 is 3."
4
A meaningful effect or change on a situation.
"A kind word can make a huge difference to someone having a bad day."
"Recycling may seem small, but it makes a real difference."
"Volunteering there really made a difference to the community."
How to use difference
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow two things aren’t the same, a disagreement, or a subtraction result.
Common pairings
make a difference
split the difference
tell the difference
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Word forms
- Plural
- differences
- Third person singular
- differences
- Past tense
- differenced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The main _____ between the two recipes is the type of flour.
Etymology
From Old French difference, from Latin differentia, itself from differens, the present participle of differre, "to differ."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for difference
See all rhymes for difference →Frequently asked questions
What does “difference” mean?
The word “difference” means the way in which two or more things are unlike each other. In plain terms, how two things aren’t the same, a disagreement, or a subtraction result.
How do you pronounce “difference”?
“Difference” is pronounced DIHF-ruhns (/ˈdɪf(ə)ɹəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “difference” in a sentence?
Here is “difference” used in a sentence: “Can you spot the difference between these two photos?”
What is another word for “difference”?
Words with a similar meaning to “difference” include differentiation, differentness, distinction, distinguishedness, nonidentity and unidenticality.
What is the opposite of “difference”?
The opposite of “difference” — its antonyms — are identity, identicality, identicalness and sameness.
What part of speech is “difference”?
“Difference” is a noun.
Where does the word “difference” come from?
The word “difference” comes from Latin. From Old French difference, from Latin differentia, itself from differens, the present participle of differre, "to differ.".
Is “difference” a common word?
“Difference” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What does it mean to 'make a difference'?
To 'make a difference' means to have a noticeable effect, usually a positive one that improves a situation. If a volunteer's work makes a difference, it genuinely helps. The phrase can also be literal, meaning something changes the outcome, as in 'a good night's sleep makes all the difference'.
What is the opposite of difference?
The opposite of difference is similarity or sameness, the quality of things being alike rather than unlike. Related opposites include resemblance, likeness and uniformity. Where a difference marks how things diverge, a similarity marks what they share. Both ideas are often weighed together when comparing two or more things.
What is the difference between difference and distinction?
A difference is simply any way in which things are unlike each other. A distinction is a difference that people deliberately notice, draw or treat as important. All distinctions rest on differences, but calling something a distinction suggests the contrast matters or has been singled out for attention.
What is an example of a difference?
The clearest examples compare two things directly: the difference between cats and dogs, or between summer and winter. A price difference of ten pounds shows how two amounts are unlike. In each case, the difference is whatever sets the items apart, whether size, colour, cost or behaviour.
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