Difference Definition
dĭfər-əns, dĭfrəns
differenced, differences, differencing
noun
differences
Condition, quality, fact, or instance of being different.
Webster's New World
An instance of disparity or unlikeness.
There is a big difference in sound between a clarinet and an oboe.
American Heritage
The way in which people or things are different; esp., a determining point or factor that makes for a distinct change or contrast.
Webster's New World
The state of holding a differing opinion; disagreement.
Webster's New World
A degree or amount by which things differ.
A difference in height of three inches.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- remainder
- departure
- deviation
- divergence
- conflict
- difference-of-opinion
- dispute
- compromise
- affect
- have an effect
- change
- opposition
- contrariness
- variance
- lack of resemblance
idiom
(it's the) same difference
- there is no difference
Webster's New World
make a difference
- to have an effect; matter
- to change the outlook or situation
Webster's New World
make no difference
- to have no effect; not matter
Webster's New World
split the difference
- to share the remainder equally
- to make a compromise
Webster's New World
what's the difference?
- what does it matter?
Webster's New World
Other Word Forms of Difference
Noun
Singular:
difference
Plural:
differencesIdioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Difference
- (it's the) same difference
- make a difference
- make no difference
- split the difference
- what's the difference?
Origin of Difference
-
From Middle English, from Old French difference, from Latin differentia (“difference”), from differens (“different”), present participle of differre
From Wiktionary
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