difference
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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.
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
– distinction1. '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
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new 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" variation, fluctuation - an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change driftage - the deviation (by a vessel or aircraft) from its intended course due to drifting | |
| 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"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 | |
| 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 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
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
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
noun1. The condition of being unlike or dissimilar:
2. A marked lack of correspondence or agreement:
4. A state of disagreement and disharmony:
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
eroeroavaisuuserotuserilaisuus
razlika
különbözet
beda
deilamismunurmunur
違い
차이점
diferencijavimasnuomonių nesutapimasskirtingas
atšķirībanesaskaņastarpībastrīds
razlika
skillnaddifferens
ความแตกต่าง
sự khác nhau
difference
[ˈdɪfrəns] N1. (= 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
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
3. (= change) the difference in her is amazing! → ¡cuánto ha cambiado!
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
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
to settle one's differences, to resolve one's differences → résoudre la situation
a difference of opinion (= disagreement) → une divergence d'opinions
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] na. 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
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
they could not settle their differences → non sono riusciti a mettersi d'accordo
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
difference
(ˈdifrəns) noun1. 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.
2. an act of differing, especially a disagreement. We had a difference of opinion; Have they settled their differences? (= Have they stopped arguing?).
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.
ˈdifferent adjective (often with from) not the same. These gloves are not a pair – they're different; My ideas are different from his.
ˌdiffeˈrentiate (-ˈrenʃieit) verb1. to see or be able to tell a difference (between). I cannot even differentiate a blackbird and a starling.
2. (with between) to treat differently. She does not differentiate between her two children although one is adopted.
ˈdiffeˌrentiˈation noundifferent 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