difference

1 of 2

noun

dif·​fer·​ence ˈdi-f(ə-)rən(t)s 

ˈdi-fərn(t)s

1

a

: the quality or state of being dissimilar or different

the difference between right and wrong

The new model is supposed to be better, but I can't tell the difference.

b

: an instance of being unlike or distinct 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

… an absolute gentleman, full of the most excellent differences …

—William Shakespeare

d

: the element or factor that separates or distinguishes contrasting situations

Timing is often the difference between success and failure.

2

: distinction or discrimination in preference

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

their difference in age

specifically, mathematics : remainder sense 2b(1)

5

: a significant change in or effect on a situation

It makes no difference to me.

difference

2 of 2

verb

differenced; differencing

transitive verb

: differentiate, distinguish

… every individual has something that differences it from another …

—John Locke

Synonyms of difference

Noun

• diversity
• distinctiveness
• contrast
• distinctness
• distinction
• disagreement
• discrepancy
• distance
• divergence
• disparity
• diverseness

Verb

• differentiate
• distinguish

Examples of difference in a Sentence

Noun

She knows the difference between right and wrong.

There's no difference between the two houses. They look exactly the same.

There's a big difference in price.

Verb

people who cannot difference God's will from their own selfish desires and prejudices

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One difference is Connecticut is aiming for potential new plants to be powered by small nuclear reactors. —Krisztian Elcsics, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026

For schoolteachers, this is worse than whiplash, because there’s a crucial difference between the American-history-is-all-bad or -all-good preferences of the left or the right. —Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 12 May 2026

But there is a big difference between ordinary political competition and a coordinated national effort to purge state lawmakers for exercising independent judgment on a matter before their own legislature. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026

In this arrangement, the lower tiers still get better odds of a top pick, but there’s less difference among teams in the same tier. —Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 11 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin differentia "distinction, distinguishing characteristic," from different-, differens, present participle of differre "to carry in varying directions, delay, differ" + -ia -ia entry 1

Note: Latin differentia was used by Cicero and others as an equivalent of Greek diaphorá, a nominal derivative of diaphérein (see note at differ).

Verb

derivative of difference entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing difference

• a difference of opinion
• age difference
• all the difference in the world
• common difference
• finite difference
• learning difference
• made a big difference
• make a big difference
• make a difference
• make all the difference
• make no difference
• makes a world of difference
• not make any difference
• potential difference
• same difference
• split the difference
• what difference does it/that make?
• what's the difference?

Rhymes for difference

• indifference

Kids Definition

difference

noun

dif·​fer·​ence

ˈdif-ərn(t)s, 

ˈdif-(ə-)rən(t)s

1

: the quality or state of being different

the striking difference in the sisters' looks

2

: the degree or amount by which things differ

especially : the number that is obtained by subtracting one number from another

the difference between 4 and 6 is 2

3

: a disagreement in opinion

persons unable to settle their differences

4

: an important change in or effect on a situation

made no difference to me