difference

¹dif·fer·ence

noun \ˈdi-fərn(t)s, ˈdi-f(ə-)rən(t)s\

Definition of DIFFERENCE

1

a : the quality or state of being different <the difference between right and wrong>

b : an instance of differing in nature, form, or quality <noted the differences in color and texture>

c archaic : a characteristic that distinguishes one from another or from the average

d : the element or factor that separates or distinguishes contrasting situations

2

: distinction or discrimination in preference <timing is often the difference between success and failure>

3

a : disagreement in opinion : dissension

b : an instance or cause of disagreement <unable to settle their differences>

4

: the degree or amount by which things differ in quantity or measure; specifically : remainder 2b(1)

5

: a significant change in or effect on a situation <it makes no difference to me>

Examples of DIFFERENCE

1. She knows the difference between right and wrong.
2. There's no difference between the two houses. They look exactly the same.
3. There's a big difference in price.

First Known Use of DIFFERENCE

14th century

Related to DIFFERENCE

Synonyms

contrast, disagreement, discrepancy, disparateness, disparity, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, distance, distinction, distinctiveness, distinctness, diverseness, diversity, otherness, unlikeness

Antonyms

alikeness, analogousness, analogy, community, likeness, resemblance, sameness, similarity

Related Words

deviance, divergence; differentiability, discriminability, distinguishability; change, modification, variation; conflict, discord, discordance, dissension (also dissention), dissent, dissidence, disunity, friction, strife; variability, variance; anomalousness, dichotomy, incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness, nonconformity; disproportion, imbalance, inequality, nonequivalence

Near Antonyms

identicalness, identity; accordance, agreement, conformity, congruity, correspondence, parallelism, similitude; equality, equivalence, equivalency; homogeneity, homogeneousness, uniformity

²difference

transitive verb

differenceddifferenc·ing

Definition of DIFFERENCE

: differentiate, distinguish

Examples of DIFFERENCE

1. <people who cannot difference God's will from their own selfish desires and prejudices>

First Known Use of DIFFERENCE

1576

Related to DIFFERENCE

Synonyms

distinguish, differentiate, discern, discriminate, secern, separate

Antonyms

confuse, mistake, mix (up)

Related Words

contradistinguish; comprehend, grasp, know, understand; divide, part, sever; demarcate, mark (off), set off

Near Antonyms

confound, lump (together), mingle