adjective

different

DIHF-uh-ruhnt

adjective

Not the same as something else; distinct.

"She wore a different dress to every party."

"His approach was completely different from his predecessor’s."

Unusual or out of the ordinary.

"The restaurant’s menu was refreshingly different."

How to Use Different

Learner’s notes

In 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

more different comparative, more different comparative, differents plural, most different superlative, most different superlative

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She wore a _____ dress to every party.

From Old French different, from Latin differens, the present participle of differre, "to differ."

differing dissimilar diverse other unalike unlike

identical similar

second other similar same opposite alike equal like

coherent inherent incoherent belligerent indifferent

differing dissimilar diverse other unalike unlike identical similar second same opposite alike