different
DIHF-uh-ruhnt
Different (adjective) means not the same as something else; distinct. Example: “She wore a different dress to every party.”
adjective
1
Not the same as something else; distinct.
"She wore a different dress to every party."
"His approach was completely different from his predecessor’s."
"My twin and I have completely different tastes in music."
2
Unusual or out of the ordinary.
"The restaurant’s menu was refreshingly different."
"This cafe is a bit different, because you cook your own food at the table."
"I wanted something different for my birthday, so we went camping."
How to use different
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot alike, or standing out as unusual.
Common mistake
In British English, "different from" and "different to" are both standard; American English favors "different from" or "different than."
UK vs US
UK commonly uses "different to"; US strongly prefers "different from" or "different than."
Common pairings
different from
a different approach
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Word forms
- Plural
- differents
- Comparative
- more different
- Superlative
- most different
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She wore a _____ dress to every party.
Etymology
From Old French different, from Latin differens, the present participle of differre, "to differ."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for different
See all rhymes for different →Frequently asked questions
What does “different” mean?
The word “different” means not the same as something else; distinct. In plain terms, not alike, or standing out as unusual.
How do you pronounce “different”?
“Different” is pronounced DIHF-uh-ruhnt (/ˈdɪf.ə.ɹənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “different” in a sentence?
Here is “different” used in a sentence: “She wore a different dress to every party.”
What is another word for “different”?
Words with a similar meaning to “different” include differing, dissimilar, diverse, other, unalike and unlike.
What is the opposite of “different”?
The opposite of “different” — its antonyms — are identical and similar.
What part of speech is “different”?
“Different” is an adjective.
Where does the word “different” come from?
The word “different” comes from Latin. From Old French different, from Latin differens, the present participle of differre, "to differ.".
Is “different” a common word?
“Different” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'different from', 'different than', and 'different to'?
All three mean the same thing; the choice is regional. 'Different from' is accepted everywhere and is the safest option. 'Different to' is common in British English, while 'different than' is common in American English, especially before a clause. None is truly wrong, but 'different from' rarely draws criticism.
What is the difference between 'different' and 'various'?
'Different' stresses that two or more things are not alike — 'we took different routes'. 'Various' stresses that there are several of something, usually of more than one kind — 'various routes were available'. 'Different' contrasts things; 'various' counts a diverse range of them.
What is the opposite of 'different'?
The main opposites are 'same', 'identical', and 'similar'. 'Same' and 'identical' mean matching exactly, while 'similar' means alike but not quite equal. Where 'different' marks a contrast, these words mark agreement or resemblance, so 'a different answer' becomes 'the same answer' when the two match.
What is an example of 'different'?
'My phone is different from yours' shows two things that are not the same. 'They come from different backgrounds' points to distinct, separate origins. In both sentences 'different' signals a contrast — the items being compared fail to match in some noticeable and relevant way.
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