different

1 of 2

adjective

dif·​fer·​ent ˈdi-f(ə-)rənt 

ˈdi-fərnt

1

: partly or totally unlike in nature, form, or quality : dissimilar

could hardly be more different

—often followed by from, than, or chiefly British to

… small, neat hand, very different from the captain's tottery characters …

—Robert Louis Stevenson

vastly different in size than it was twenty-five years ago

—N. M. Pusey

a very different situation to the … one under which we live

—Sir Winston Churchill

2

: not the same: such as

a

: distinct

different age groups

b

: various

different members of the class

c

: another

switched to a different TV program

3

: unusual, special

a very different style of dressing

differentness noun

Is it different than or different from?: Usage Guide

Different is commonly followed by than or from.

Our house is different from the others on our street.

The movie was different than I expected.

Despite some opposition in the past, both different from and different than are standard and have been in use since the 15th and 17th century, respectively. Different than is more common for introducing a sentence part that has its own subject and verb because using different from requires more words.

I had a different experience than you did. = I had a different experience from the one you had.

Overall, however, different from is more common.

different

2 of 2

adverb

: differently

Synonyms of different

Adjective

• diverse
• distinctive
• distinct
• other
• distinguishable
• varied

Choose the Right Synonym for different

different, diverse, divergent, disparate, various mean unlike in kind or character.

different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.

different foods

diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation.

went on to pursue divergent careers

disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

various stresses the number of sorts or kinds.

tried various methods

Examples of different in a Sentence

Adjective

The two brothers could not have been more different.

We need to try an entirely different approach.

They met with each other on several different occasions.

advertising that tries to be different

That movie certainly was different.

He has a very different style of dressing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Whether the Leafs can become a different team remains to be seen. —Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2025

Today’s open-source tool kits can generate millions of legally compliant plans and optimize for different fairness goals (compactness, competitiveness, minority opportunity, county splits, partisan bias). —Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025

The calendar includes seven different types of treats, like chicken, bone, duck, pork, beef jerky, and even chicken liver. —Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025

These regions are notable for being a significantly different color and composition than the majority of the Moon. —Big Think, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin different-, differens, present participle of differre "to carry in varying directions, delay, differ"

Adverb

derivative of different entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1588, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing different

• a horse of a different color
• different animal
• different beast
• different drummer
• heard a different drummer
• in a different league
• in a different light
• know different/otherwise
• march to the beat of a different drummer
• put a new/different complexion on
• sing a different tune
• singing a different song
• tell a different story

Kids Definition

different

adjective

dif·​fer·​ent

ˈdif-ərnt, 

ˈdif-(ə-)rənt

1

: not of the same kind : partly or totally unlike another

this apple is different from the others in size and color

2

: not the same : other, separate

see the same person at different times

differently adverb