differ

verb

dif·​fer ˈdi-fər 

differed; differing ˈdi-f(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to be unlike or distinct in nature, form, or characteristics

the law of one state differs from that of another

b

: to change from time to time or from one instance to another : vary

the number of cookies in a box may differ

2

: to be of unlike or opposite opinion : disagree

they differ on religious matters

I beg to differ with your interpretation.

Synonyms

• contrast
• vary

Examples of differ in a Sentence

The two schools differ in their approach to discipline.

my brother and I differ markedly in the way we handle money

Recent Examples on the Web

Although the payments would be similar to the 2020 payments issued at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, rebates differ from stimulus checks. —Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 9 Aug. 2025

The differing management methods come as numerous corporations have pointed to in-office work as driving collaboration, ideation, and, in some cases, revenue, while numerous studies point to RTO policies hurting employee morale and risking employee retention. —Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025

Siblings often have differing perspectives regarding their parents. —R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025

In other words, when a user decides to use GPT-5 and meanders into bringing up a mental health topic or concern, the question is how the interactivity and responses will potentially differ from the prior versions, such as the answers given by ChatGPT and GPT-4. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English differren, differen, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French differer "to be different," borrowed (with conjugational change) from Latin differre "to carry away in varying directions, spread abroad, postpone, delay, be unlike or distinct," from dif-, assimilated form of dis- dis- + ferre "to carry, convey"

Note: The meanings of Latin differre, in particular the sense "to be unlike or distinct," copy those of Greek diaphérein, formed with the cognate verb phérein "to carry." English differ is not distinct etymologically from defer entry 1; the two were originally variants with stress on either the first or last syllable, with the meanings "delay" and "be unlike" eventually being restricted to one of the two variants.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing differ

• agree to differ
• beg to differ

Rhymes for differ

• sniffer
• stiffer

Kids Definition

differ

verb

dif·​fer ˈdif-ər 

differed; differing ˈdif-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to be not the same : be unlike

brothers who differ in looks

2

: disagree sense 2

differ only on one issue