plural differences
1
: the quality that makes one person or thing unlike another
She knows the difference between right and wrong.
There's no difference between the two houses. They look exactly the same.
There's a striking difference in the sisters' looks. [=they look very different from each other]
Note: To tell the difference between two people or things is to see how they are unlike each other.
2
: something that people do not agree about : a disagreement in opinion
They've always had their differences. [=they have always disagreed about some things]
The debate gave them a chance to air their differences. [=to discuss the things that they disagree about]
We need to find a way to resolve/settle our differences. [=to stop disagreeing, arguing, etc.]
There seems to be a difference of opinion [=people disagree] about what we should do next.
They divorced because of irreconcilable differences. [=serious disagreements that they were not able to settle]
3
: the degree or amount by which things differ
There's a big difference in price.
There's a 15-year age difference between her oldest and youngest children. [=her oldest child is fifteen years older than her youngest child]
Cite this Entry
“Difference.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/difference. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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