different
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different
dissimilar; unlike; separate and distinct
Not to be confused with:
diffident – hesitant to assert oneself; timid
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
dif·fer·ent
(dĭf′ər-ənt, dĭf′rənt)adj.
1. Unlike in form, quality, amount, or nature; dissimilar: took different approaches to the problem.
2. Distinct or separate: That's a different issue altogether.
3. Various or assorted: interviewed different members of the community.
4. Differing from all others; unusual: a different point of view.
adv.
In a different way or manner; otherwise: "Carol ... didn't know different until Elinor told her" (Ben Brantley).
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin differēns, different-, present participle of differre, to differ; see differ.]
dif′fer·ent·ly adv.
dif′fer·ent·ness n.
Usage Note: The phrases different from and different than are both common in British and American English. The British also use the construction different to. Since the 18th century, language critics have singled out different than as incorrect when used before nouns and noun phrases, though it is well attested in the works of reputable writers. Traditionally, from is used when the comparison is between two persons or things: My book is different from [not than] yours. Note that noun phrases, including ones that have clauses in them, also fall into this category: The campus is different from the way it was the last time you were here. The Usage Panel is divided on the acceptability of different than with nouns and noun phrases, with a majority finding several of these constructions unacceptable. In our 2004 survey, 57 percent rejected the use of different than with a gerund in the sentence Caring for children with disabilities in a regular child-care setting is not new and, in many cases, is not particularly different than caring for other children. Roughly the same percentage (55) disapproved of the construction with a noun phrase containing a clause in The new kid felt that the coach's treatment of him was different than that of the other players who were on the team last year. Some 60 percent rejected the sentence New York seemed very different than Rome, where they'd been on good terms. There should be no complaint, however, when the object of comparison is expressed by a full clause: The campus is different than it was twenty years ago.
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.
different
(ˈdɪfərənt; ˈdɪfrənt)adj
1. partly or completely unlike
2. not identical or the same; other: he always wears a different tie.
3. out of the ordinary; unusual
ˈdifferently adv
ˈdifferentness n
Usage: The constructions different from, different to, and different than are all found in the works of writers of English during the past. Nowadays, however, the most widely acceptable preposition to use after different is from. Different to is common in British English, but is considered by some people to be incorrect, or less acceptable. Different than is a standard construction in American English, and has the advantage of conciseness when a clause or phrase follows, as in this result is only slightly different than in the US. As, however, this idiom is not regarded as totally acceptable in British usage, it is preferable either to use different from: this result is only slightly different from that obtained in the US or to rephrase the sentence: this result differs only slightly from that in the US
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
dif•fer•ent
(ˈdɪf ər ənt, ˈdɪf rənt)adj.
1. not alike in character or quality; differing; dissimilar.
2. not identical; separate or distinct: three different answers.
3. various; several: Different people told me the same story.
4. not ordinary; unusual.
[1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French < Latin]
dif′fer•ent•ly, adv.
dif′fer•ent•ness, n.
syn: See various.
usage: Although it is frequently claimed that different should be followed only by from, not by than, in actual usage both words have occurred for at least 300 years and are standard in all varieties of spoken and written American English. From is more common today in introducing a phrase, but than is also used: New York speech is different from (or than) that of Chicago.Than is usually used to introduce a clause: The stream followed a different course than the map showed. In sentences of this type, when from is used instead of than, more words are necessary: a different course from the one the map showed. In British English to frequently follows different: The early sketches are very different to the later ones. different in the sense “unusual” is well established in all but the most formal American English: The décor in this theater is really different.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
different
1. 'different'
If one thing is different from another, it is unlike the other thing in some way.
The meeting was different from any that had gone before.
Health is different from physical fitness.
Many British people say that one thing is different to another. Different to means the same as different from.
My methods are totally different to his.
Be Careful!
Some people object to this use. In conversation and informal writing, you can use either different from or different to, but in formal writing it is better to use different from.
In American English, you can say that one thing is different than another. This use is often considered incorrect in British English, but it is sometimes the simplest possibility when the comparison involves a clause.
I am no different than I was 50 years ago.
2. 'very different'
If there is a great difference between two things, you can say that one thing is very different from the other.
The firm is now very different from the way it was ten years ago.
Be Careful!
Don't say that one thing is 'much different' from another.
If two things are quite similar, you can say that one thing is not very different from the other or not much different from the other.
I discovered that things were not very different from what I had seen in New York.
The new model is not much different from the old one.
3. 'no different'
If two things are alike, you can say that one thing is no different from the other.
He was no different from any other child his age.
Be Careful!
Don't say that one thing is 'not different' from another.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Adj. | 1. | different - unlike in nature or quality or form or degree; "took different approaches to the problem"; "came to a different conclusion"; "different parts of the country"; "on different sides of the issue"; "this meeting was different from the earlier one" incompatible - not compatible; "incompatible personalities"; "incompatible colors" unlike, dissimilar, different - marked by dissimilarity; "for twins they are very unlike"; "people are profoundly different" dissimilar - not similar; "a group of very dissimilar people"; "a pump not dissimilar to those once found on every farm"; "their understanding of the world is not so dissimilar from our own"; "took different (or dissimilar) approaches to the problem" varied - characterized by variety; "immigrants' varied ethnic and religious traditions"; "his work is interesting and varied" same - closely similar or comparable in kind or quality or quantity or degree; "curtains the same color as the walls"; "two girls of the same age"; "mother and son have the same blue eyes"; "animals of the same species"; "the same rules as before"; "two boxes having the same dimensions"; "the same day next year" |
| 2. |  different - distinctly separate from the first; "that's another (or different) issue altogether"other - not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied; "today isn't any other day"- the White Queen; "the construction of highways and other public works"; "he asked for other employment"; "any other person would tell the truth"; "his other books are still in storage"; "then we looked at the other house"; "hearing was good in his other ear"; "the other sex"; "she lived on the other side of the street from me"; "went in the other direction" | |
| 3. | different - differing from all others; not ordinary; "advertising that strives continually to be different"; "this new music is certainly different but I don't really like it" unusual - not usual or common or ordinary; "a scene of unusual beauty"; "a man of unusual ability"; "cruel and unusual punishment"; "an unusual meteorite" | |
| 4. | different - marked by dissimilarity; "for twins they are very unlike"; "people are profoundly different" | |
| 5. | different - distinct or separate; "each interviewed different members of the community" other - not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied; "today isn't any other day"- the White Queen; "the construction of highways and other public works"; "he asked for other employment"; "any other person would tell the truth"; "his other books are still in storage"; "then we looked at the other house"; "hearing was good in his other ear"; "the other sex"; "she lived on the other side of the street from me"; "went in the other direction" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
different
adjective
1. dissimilar, opposed, contrasting, changed, clashing, unlike, altered, diverse, at odds, inconsistent, disparate, deviating, divergent, at variance, discrepant, streets apart We have totally different views.
2. various, some, many, several, varied, numerous, diverse, divers (archaic), assorted, miscellaneous, sundry, manifold, multifarious Different countries specialise in different products.
3. unusual, unique, special, strange, rare, extraordinary, bizarre, distinctive, something else, peculiar, uncommon, singular, unconventional, out of the ordinary, left-field (informal), atypical Try to think of a menu that is interesting and different.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
different
adjective1. Not like another in nature, quality, amount, or form:
2. Not the same as what was previously known or done:
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
مُخْتَلِفمختلف
rozdílnýodlišný
forskellig
erilineerinev
erilainenomalaatuinenpoikkeuksellinen
različit
eltérőkülönböző
mismunandi
違う
다른
drugačenrazličen
annorlunda
ต่างกัน
khác nhau
different
[ˈdɪfrənt] ADJ1. (= not alike) → diferente, distinto
the two brothers couldn't be more different from each other → los dos hermanos no podían ser más diferentes or distintos el uno del otro
that's different to or from what I was told → eso es diferente de or a lo que me contaron, eso es distinto de or a lo que me contaron
that's quite a different matter → eso es harina de otro costal
see also chalk
the two brothers couldn't be more different from each other → los dos hermanos no podían ser más diferentes or distintos el uno del otro
that's different to or from what I was told → eso es diferente de or a lo que me contaron, eso es distinto de or a lo que me contaron
that's quite a different matter → eso es harina de otro costal
see also chalk
2. (= changed) I feel a different person → me siento otro
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
different
[ˈdɪfrənt] adj (= dissimilar) → différent(e)
We are very different → Nous sommes très différents.
different from, different to → différent(e) de
Paris is different from London → Paris est différent de Londres.
different than (US) → différent(e) de
We are very different → Nous sommes très différents.
different from, different to → différent(e) de
Paris is different from London → Paris est différent de Londres.
different than (US) → différent(e) de
(= various) → différent(e)
(= unusual) → pas commun(e)
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
different
adj
→ andere(r, s), anders pred → (from, to als); two people, things → verschieden, unterschiedlich; completely different → völlig verschieden; (= changed) → völlig verändert; that’s different! → das ist was anderes!; in what way are they different? → wie unterscheiden sie sich?; to feel (like) a different person → ein ganz anderer Mensch sein; to do something different → etwas anderes tun; that’s quite a different matter → das ist etwas völlig anderes; she’s quite different from what you think → sie ist ganz anders, als Sie denken; he wants to be different → er will unbedingt anders sein or etwas Besonderes sein
(= various) → verschieden
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
different
[ˈdɪfr/ənt] adja. (not alike) different (from or to) → diverso/a (da), differente (da); (changed) → altro/a, diverso/a
that's quite a different matter → è tutt'altra cosa, è una faccenda completamente diversa
I feel a different person → mi sento un altro
that's quite a different matter → è tutt'altra cosa, è una faccenda completamente diversa
I feel a different person → mi sento un altro
b. (various) → diverso/a, vario/a
it comes in several different colours → è disponibile in diversi or vari colori
it comes in several different colours → è disponibile in diversi or vari colori
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.
different
→ مُخْتَلِف rozdílný forskellig verschieden διαφορετικός diferente erilainen différent različit differente 違う 다른 verschillend forskjellig różny diferente различный annorlunda ต่างกัน farklı khác nhau 不同的Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
different
a. diferente, distinto-a.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009