difference

difference

disparity; unlikeness; distinction: made a difference

Not to be confused with:

deference – courteous respect for another’s opinion, wishes, or judgment: treated with deference

Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree

dif·fer·ence

 (dĭf′ər-əns, dĭf′rəns)

n.

1. The quality or condition of being unlike or dissimilar.

2.

a. An instance of disparity or unlikeness: There is a big difference in sound between a clarinet and an oboe.

b. A degree or amount by which things differ: a difference in height of three inches.

3. A noticeable change or effect: Exercise has made a difference in her health.

4. A disagreement or controversy: Let's settle our differences.

5. Discrimination in taste or choice; distinction: In this case, the law should make no difference between young and old.

6. Mathematics

a. The amount by which one quantity is greater or less than another.

b. The amount that remains after one quantity is subtracted from another.

tr.v. dif·fer·enced, dif·fer·enc·ing, dif·fer·enc·es

To distinguish or differentiate.

Synonyms: difference, dissimilarity, unlikeness, divergence, variation, distinction, discrepancy
These nouns refer to a lack of correspondence or agreement. Difference is the most general: differences in color and size; a difference of degree but not of kind.
Dissimilarity and unlikeness often suggest a wide or fundamental difference: the dissimilarity between human and computer language; attracted to each other by their very unlikeness.
However, dissimilarity is also used to emphasize the points of difference between things that are otherwise alike or comparable: an analysis of the dissimilarities between the two sets of data.
Divergence can denote a difference resulting from a branching or separation; alternatively, it can indicate a range of difference within a category: the growing divergence between British and American English; a large group with a divergence of opinions on the subject.
Variation occurs between things of the same class or species; often it refers to a modification of something original, prescribed, or typical: variations in temperature; a variation of a familiar technique.
Distinction often means a difference in detail determinable only by close inspection: the distinction between "good" and "excellent."
A discrepancy is a difference between things that should correspond or match: a discrepancy between his words and his actions.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

difference

(ˈdɪfərəns; ˈdɪfrəns)

n

1. the state or quality of being unlike

2. a specific instance of being unlike

3. a distinguishing mark or feature

4. a significant change in a situation: the difference in her is amazing.

5. a disagreement or argument: he had a difference with his wife.

6. a degree of distinctness, as between two people or things

7. (Mathematics)

a. the result of the subtraction of one number, quantity, etc, from another

b. the single number that when added to the subtrahend gives the minuend; remainder

8. (Logic) logic another name for differentia

9. (Mathematics) maths (of two sets)

a. the set of members of the first that are not members of the second. Symbol: A – B

b. symmetric difference the set of members of one but not both of the given sets. Often symbolized: A + B

10. (Heraldry) heraldry an addition to the arms of a family to represent a younger branch

11. make a difference

a. to have an effect

b. to treat differently

12. split the difference

a. to settle a dispute by a compromise

b. to divide a remainder equally

13. with a difference with some peculiarly distinguishing quality, good or bad

vb (tr)

14. rare to distinguish

15. (Heraldry) heraldry to add a charge to (arms) to differentiate a branch of a family

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

dif•fer•ence

(ˈdɪf ər əns, ˈdɪf rəns)

n., v. -enced, -enc•ing. n.

1. the state or relation of being different; dissimilarity.

2. an instance or point of unlikeness or dissimilarity: the differences in their behavior.

3. a significant change in or effect on a situation: It made no difference what I said; nothing could persuade him.

4. a distinguishing characteristic; distinctive quality, feature, etc.

5. the degree to which one person or thing differs from another.

6. the act of distinguishing; discrimination; distinction.

7. a disagreement in opinion.

8. a dispute or quarrel.

9. Math.

a. the amount by which one quantity is greater or less than another.

b. (of a function f) an expression of the form f(x + h) −f(x).

10. a differentia.

v.t.

11. to cause or constitute a difference in or between; make different.

12. to perceive the difference in or between; discriminate.

[1300–50; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Latin]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

dif·fer·ence

(dĭf′ər-əns)

1. The amount by which one number or quantity is greater or less than another. The difference between 10 and 15, for example, is 5.

2. The amount remaining after one number or quantity is subtracted from another. In the equation 15 - 10 = 5, 5 is the difference.

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

difference

– distinction

1. 'difference'

The difference between things is the way or ways in which they are not the same.

Is there much difference between British and European law?

There are many differences between computers and humans.

If something makes a difference to a situation, it affects it, usually in a positive way. If something makes no difference to a situation, it doesn't affect it.

The training certainly made a difference to staff performance.

The story about her past made no difference to his feelings for her.

2. 'distinction'

If someone points out that two things are different, don't say that they 'make a difference' between the things. You say that they make a distinction or draw a distinction between them.

It is important to make a distinction between claimants who are over retirement age and those who are not.

He draws a distinction between art and culture.

Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012

difference

Past participle: differenced
Gerund: differencing

Imperative

difference

difference

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	difference - the quality of being unlike or dissimilar; "there are many differences between jazz and rock" quality - an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone; "the quality of mercy is not strained"--Shakespeare otherness, separateness, distinctness - the quality of being not alike; being distinct or different from that otherwise experienced or known differential - a quality that differentiates between similar things differentia - distinguishing characteristics (especially in different species of a genus) distinction - a distinguishing difference; "he learned the distinction between gold and lead" discrepancy, disagreement, divergence, variance - a difference between conflicting facts or claims or opinions; "a growing divergence of opinion" dissimilarity, unsimilarity - the quality of being dissimilar variety, change - a difference that is usually pleasant; "he goes to France for variety"; "it is a refreshing change to meet a woman mechanic" inequality - lack of equality; "the growing inequality between rich and poor" sameness - the quality of being alike; "sameness of purpose kept them together"
	2.	difference - a variation that deviates from the standard or norm; "the deviation from the mean" deviation, divergence, departure variation, fluctuation - an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change variance, variant, discrepancy - an event that departs from expectations driftage - the deviation (by a vessel or aircraft) from its intended course due to drifting flection, flexion, inflection - deviation from a straight or normal course
	3.	difference - a disagreement or argument about something important; "he had a dispute with his wife"; "there were irreconcilable differences"; "the familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats" difference of opinion, dispute, conflict disagreement - the speech act of disagreeing or arguing or disputing collision - a conflict of opposed ideas or attitudes or goals; "a collision of interests" contestation, controversy, disceptation, arguing, argument, contention, disputation, tilt - a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement; "they were involved in a violent argument" gap - a difference (especially an unfortunate difference) between two opinions or two views or two situations dustup, quarrel, run-in, wrangle, row, words - an angry dispute; "they had a quarrel"; "they had words"
	4.	difference - a significant change; "the difference in her is amazing"; "his support made a real difference" change - a relational difference between states; especially between states before and after some event; "he attributed the change to their marriage"
	5.	difference - the number that remains after subtraction; the number that when added to the subtrahend gives the minuend remainder balance - the difference between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account number - a concept of quantity involving zero and units; "every number has a unique position in the sequence"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

difference

noun

1. dissimilarity, contrast, variation, change, variety, exception, distinction, diversity, alteration, discrepancy, disparity, deviation, differentiation, peculiarity, divergence, singularity, particularity, distinctness, unlikeness the vast difference in size
dissimilarity similarity, resemblance, affinity, relation, conformity, likeness, sameness, congruence, comparability, similitude

2. remainder, rest, balance, remains, excess, outstanding amount, remaining amount They pledge to refund the difference within 48 hours.

3. disagreement, conflict, argument, row, clash, dispute, set-to (informal), controversy, contention, quarrel, strife, wrangle, tiff, contretemps, discordance, contrariety They are leaning how to resolve their differences.
disagreement agreement, concordance, harmony

make a difference to something or someone change, transform, alter, modify, metamorphose Where you live can make such a difference to the way you feel.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

difference

noun

1. The condition of being unlike or dissimilar:

discrepance, discrepancy, disparity, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, distinction, divarication, divergence, divergency, unlikeness.

2. A marked lack of correspondence or agreement:

disagreement, discrepance, discrepancy, disparity, gap, incompatibility, incongruity, inconsistency.

3. The condition or fact of varying:

variance, variation.

4. A state of disagreement and disharmony:

clash, conflict, confrontation, contention, difficulty, disaccord, discord, discordance, dissension, dissent, dissentience, dissidence, dissonance, faction, friction, inharmony, schism, strife, variance, war, warfare.

The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

إخْتِلافإخْتِلاف، عَدم إتِّفاقاِخْتِلَاففَرْق

rozdílrozporneshoda

forskelmeningsforskeldifferens

UnterschiedDifferenzMeinungsverschiedenheitunterscheidendifferenzieren

διαφορά

diferencia

eroeroavaisuuserotuserilaisuus

différenceexcèsdésaccord

razlika

különbözet

beda

deilamismunurmunur

differenzadifferenza di stipendiodifferenzialedifformitàdistinguere

違い

차이점

diferencijavimasnuomonių nesutapimasskirtingas

atšķirībanesaskaņastarpībastrīds

verschildifferentiërenonderscheidonderscheiden

forskjellmeningsforskjelldifferanse

różnica

diferença

разницаотличиеразличиеотличительная чертаразность

razlika

skillnaddifferens

ความแตกต่าง

farklılıkgörüş ayrılığıuyuşmazlıkanlaşmazlıkaradaki fark

sự khác nhau

分歧差别差异差额

difference

[ˈdɪfrəns] N

1. (= dissimilarity) → diferencia f (between entre) I see no difference between them → no veo diferencia alguna entre ellos
a car with a difference → un coche diferente or especial
that makes all the difference → eso cambia totalmente la cosa
it makes no difference → da igual, da lo mismo
it makes no difference to me → me da igual or lo mismo
it will make no difference to us → nos dará igual or lo mismo, no nos afectará en lo más mínimo
what difference does it make? → ¿qué más da?
it makes a lot of difference → importa mucho
see also split C2

2. (between numbers, amounts) → diferencia f
I'll pay the difference → yo pagaré la diferencia

3. (= change) the difference in her is amazing! → ¡cuánto ha cambiado!

4. (euph) (= quarrel) → riña f
a difference of opinion → un desacuerdo
see also put aside, settle

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

difference

[ˈdɪfrəns] n

(= dissimilarity) → différence f
difference in sth [+ size, colour, age] → différence de qch
There's not much difference in age between us → Il n'y a pas une grande différence d'âge entre nous.
difference between → différence entre
to tell the difference between (= distinguish) → différencier
I can't tell the difference between them → Je suis incapable de les différencier.
to make a difference (= be important) → avoir de l'importance
It makes no difference → Ça n'a pas d'importance.
it makes no difference to me (= is of no importance) → cela m'est égal, cela m'est indifférent
to make a difference to sth (= affect) → avoir un effet sur qch
to make all the difference (= be a decisive factor) → faire toute la différence
with a difference (= very unusual) [holiday, job] → pas comme les autres

(= disagreement) → différend m, désaccord m
to settle one's differences, to resolve one's differences → résoudre la situation
a difference of opinion (= disagreement) → une divergence d'opinions

(between numbers) → différence f
to split the difference → couper la poire en deux

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

difference

n

→ Unterschied m; (in age) → (Alters)unterschied m (→ in, between zwischen +dat); that makes a big difference to me → das ist für mich ein großer Unterschied; to make a difference to or in something → einen Unterschied bei etw machen; that makes a big or a lot of difference, that makes all the difference → das ändert die Sache völlig, das gibt der Sache (dat) → ein ganz anderes Gesicht; cooperation makes all the difference → Zusammenarbeit macht viel aus; a bottle of wine would make all the difference → es fehlt nur noch eine Flasche Wein dazu; it makes all the difference in the world → da liegt der entscheidende Unterschied; what difference does it make if …? → was macht es schon, wenn …?; what difference is that to you? → was macht dir das aus?; it makes no difference, it doesn’t make any difference → es ist egal; it makes no difference to me → das ist mir egal or einerlei; for all the difference it makes → obwohl es ja eigentlich egal ist; I can’t tell the difference → ich kann keinen Unterschied erkennen; a job with a difference (inf) → ein Job, der mal was anderes ist

(between numbers, amounts) → Differenz f; to pay the difference → die Differenz or den Rest(betrag) bezahlen; to split the difference → sich (dat) → die Differenz or den Rest(betrag) teilen

(= quarrel) → Differenz f, → Auseinandersetzung f; a difference of opinion → eine Meinungsverschiedenheit; to settle or resolve one’s differences → die Differenzen or Meinungsverschiedenheiten beilegen

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

difference

[ˈdɪfr/əns] n

a. difference (in/between) → differenza (di/tra)
that makes all the difference → questo cambia tutto
it makes no difference to me → per me è lo stesso
a car with a difference → una macchina diversa dalle altre
the difference in her is amazing → è incredibile com'è cambiata
I'll make up the difference later (of money) → ti do il resto dopo
common difference (Math) → ragione f

b. (quarrel) a difference of opinion → una divergenza di opinioni
they could not settle their differences → non sono riusciti a mettersi d'accordo

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

difference

(ˈdifrəns) noun

1. what makes one thing unlike another. I can't see any difference between these two pictures; It doesn't make any difference to me whether you go or stay; There's not much difference between them. verskil, onderskeid إخْتِلاف разлика diferença rozdíl der Unterschied forskel διαφοράdiferencia erinevus فرق؛ تفاوت eroavaisuus différenceשוני भिन्नता razlika különbség perbedaan munur differenza 違い 차이 skirtumas atšķirība beza verschilforskjellróżnica تفاوت diferença di­­fe­­renţă разница rozdiel razlika razlika skillnad ความแตกต่าง farklılık, fark 差異 різниця فرق sự khác nhau 差异

2. an act of differing, especially a disagreement. We had a difference of opinion; Have they settled their differences? (= Have they stopped arguing?). meningsverskil, geskilpunt إخْتِلاف، عَدم إتِّفاق различие diferença neshoda, rozpor die Meinungsverschiedenheit meningsforskel διαφωνίαdiferencia erimeelsus اختلاف erimielisyys désaccord חִילוּקֵי דְעוֹת असहमति neslaganje, razlikovanje nézeteltérés perselisihan disaccordo, controversia 相異 차별 nesutarimas, nuomonių nesutapimas nesaskaņa; strīds berlainan geschil, meningsverschilmeningsforskjellnieporozumienie اختلاف discussão dezacord; neînţelegere разногласие nezhoda spor razlika meningsskiljaktighet, tvist ความขัดแย้ง görüş ayrılığı, anlaşmazlık, uyuşmazlık 歧見 незгода, сварка نا موافق ہونے کی کیفیت sự bất đồng 分歧

3. the amount by which one quantity or number is greater than another. If you buy it for me I'll give you $6 now and make up the difference later. verskil فَرْق разлика diferença rozdíl die Differenz forskel διαφορά, υπόλοιποdiferencia vahe باقی مانده؛ بقیه ero différenceהבדל अन्तर razlika brojeva különbözet kekurangan mismunur differenza 差 차액 skirtumas starpība kekurangan verschildifferanse, forskjellróżnica نوری diferença diferenţă разница rozdiel razlika razlika mellanskillnad ส่วนต่าง aradaki fark 差額 різниця فرق و اختلاف کی مقدار یا درجہ sự chênh lệch 差额

ˈdifferent adjective

(often with from) not the same. These gloves are not a pair – they're different; My ideas are different from his. verskil van مُخْتَلِف различен diferente rozdílný, odlišný verschieden forskellig διαφορετικόςdiferente erinev متفاوت؛ مختلف erilainen différentשונה अलग različit eltérő tidak sama mismunandi diverso 異なった 다른 skirtingas atšķirīgs, citāds berbeza verschillendforskjellig, annerledesróżny, niepodobny ، توپير دموټر هغه ګير چه ګړ نديتوب ته تغيير وركوې diferente di­fe­rit (de) разный odlišný različen različit olik[a], avvikande, annorlunda ต่างกัน farklı, ayrı 不同的 різний; несхожий مختلف khác 不同的

ˌdiffeˈrentiate (-ˈrenʃieit) verb

1. to see or be able to tell a difference (between). I cannot even differentiate a blackbird and a starling. onderskei يُفَرِّق различавам diferenciar odlišit, rozlišit unterscheiden zwischen se forskel; differentiere mellem διακρίνωdiferenciar, distinguir eristama تشخیص دادن؛ جدا کردن erottaa distinguer לְהַבדִיל विभेद जान लेना razlikovati megkülönböztet membedakan gera greinarmun á distinguere 識別する 구별하다 atskirti atšķirt membezakan onderscheiden skjelne mellom, holde atskilt/fra hverandre odróżniać تشخيصوونكى، توپير دموټر هغه ګير چه ګړ نديتوب ته تغيير وركوې distinguir a di­fe­renţia, a deosebi отличать rozlíšiť razlikovati razlikovati hålla isär, skilja mellan (på) บอกความแตกต่าง ayırt etmek, farkı görmek 區別 розрізняти امتیاز کرنا phân biệt 区别

2. (with between) to treat differently. She does not differentiate between her two children although one is adopted. onderskeid maak, voortrek يُفَرِّق بَيْنَ، يُمَيِّز разграничавам fazer diferença dělat rozdíl, rozlišovat einen Unterschied machen gøre forskel κάνω διακρίσεις hacer diferencias (entre) vahet tegema فرق گذاشتن بین؛ تبعیض قائل شدن tehdä eroa faire la différence לְהַבדִיל भिन्न करना različito megkülönböztet memperlakukan lain gera greinarmun á fare differenza 差別する 차별하다 skirti izturēties dažādi; šķirot beza-bezakan verschillend behandelen behandle ulikt, gjøre forskjell på traktować inaczej توپير fazer diferença a face (vreo) dife­renţă, a trata diferit делать различие robiť rozdiel razločevati praviti razliku göra åtskillnad mellan, behandla olika ทำให้แตกต่าง ayırım yapmak, farklı muamele etmek 區分 ставитися по-різному فرق کرنا phân biệt đối xử 区分

ˈdiffeˌrentiˈation noun

onderskeiding, begunstiging تَفْريق، تَمْييز разграничаване diferenciação rozlišování die Unterscheidung skelnen; differentiering διαφοροποίησηdiferenciación vahetegemine تشخیص؛ تمایز erilaistuminen différenciationבידול, הבחנה भेद-भाव razlikovanje megkülönböztetés diferensiasi sundurgreining, aðgreining differenziazione 区別 차별화 atskyrimas, diferencijavimas diferencēšana; atšķiršana kelainan onderscheidingdifferensiering; forskjellsbehandling odróżnianie, różnicowanie تشخیص diferenciação diferenţiere, deo­se­bire различие rozlišovanie razlikovanje diferencijacija differentiering การสร้างความแตกต่าง fark etme, ayırt etme 差別，分化，微分法，差異化 диференціація; диференціювання تفریق sự phân biệt 差别，分化，微分法

---

different is followed by from (not than).

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

difference

→ اِخْتِلَاف rozdíl forskel Unterschied διαφορά diferencia ero différence razlika differenza 違い 차이점 verschil forskjell różnica diferença разница skillnad ความแตกต่าง farklılık sự khác nhau 差别

Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009