different and difference

English translation unavailable for different and difference.

0

different

different [adjective]

not the same

US

/ˈdɪf.ɚ.ənt/

UK

/ˈdɪf.ər.ənt/

Example:

She seems to wear something different every day.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

different

dif‧fe‧rent S1 W1 /ˈdɪfərənt/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: verb: ↑differ, ↑differentiate; noun: ↑difference, ↑differentiation; adverb: ↑differently; adjective: ↑different]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: différer; ⇨ ↑differ]
1. not like something or someone else, or not like before OPP similar
different from
Our sons are very different from each other.
different to
Her jacket’s different to mine.
different than American English:
He seemed different than he did in New York.
The place looks completely different now.
They decided to try a radically different approach.
We found women had significantly different political views from men.
a slightly different way of doing things
What actually happened was subtly different from the PR people’s version.
The show is refreshingly different from most exhibitions of modern art.
The publishing business is no different from any other business in this respect.
It’s a different world here in London.
GRAMMAR
In spoken British English, different from and different to are both common. Different than is also used in American English and occasionally in British English, especially when it is followed by a clause:
▪ He looks no different than when he was 20. Teachers prefer different from, so from is the preposition to use in writing:
▪ Their homes are completely different from ours.

► Do not say 'different of'.
2. [only before noun] used to talk about two or more separate things of the same basic kind SYN various:
Different people reacted in different ways.
different types/kinds etc
There are many different types of fabric.
I looked in lots of different books but couldn’t find anything about it.
3. [only before noun] another:
I think she’s moved to a different job now.
4. spoken unusual, often in a way that you do not like:
‘What did you think of the film?’ ‘Well, it was certainly different.’
—differently adverb:
I didn’t expect to be treated any differently from anyone else.
Things could have turned out quite differently.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ different if something or someone is different, they are not like something or someone else, or they are not like they were before: You look different. Have you had your hair cut? | We’ve painted the door a different colour. | The cultures of the two countries are very different.
▪ unique very different, special, or unusual and the only one of its kind. Don’t use words such as very before unique: The book is certainly very rare, and possibly unique. | the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands
▪ distinctive having a special feature or appearance that makes something different from other things, and makes it easy to recognize: Male birds have distinctive blue and yellow markings.
▪ unlike [prep] completely different from a particular person or thing: In Britain, unlike the United States, the government provides health care.
▪ have nothing in common if two people have nothing in common, they do not have the same interests or opinions and therefore cannot form a friendly relationship: Apart from the fact that we went to the same school, we have absolutely nothing in common.
▪ there’s no/little resemblance used when saying that two people or things seem very different: There’s no resemblance between the two sisters at all. | The final product bore no resemblance to the original proposal (=it was very different).
▪ dissimilar formal not the same as something else: These four politically dissimilar states have all signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation.
▪ be like chalk and cheese British English informal if two people are like chalk and cheese, they are completely different: It’s hard to believe that they’re brothers – they’re like chalk and cheese!
▪ be (like) apples and oranges American English informal used when saying that two people or things are very different: You can't compare residential and commercial real estate markets. It's apples and oranges. | Obama and Romney are apples and oranges. | Comparing homemade soup to canned soup is really comparing apples and oranges.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

different

dif·fer·ent [ˈdɪfrənt] [ˈdɪfrənt] adjective
1. ~ (from/to/than sb/sth) not the same as sb/sth; not like sb/sth else
• American English is significantly different from British English.
• (BrE) It's very different to what I'm used to.
• (NAmE) He saw he was no different than anybody else.
• It's different now than it was a year ago.
• People often give very different accounts of the same event.
• My son's terribly untidy; my daughter's no different.
• The room looks different without the furniture.
• Now he spoke in a different and kinder voice.

Opp: similar

2. only before noun separate and individual
• She offered us five different kinds of cake.
• The programme was about customs in different parts of the country.
• They are sold in many different colours.

• I looked it up in three different dictionaries.

3. not usually before noun (informal) unusual; not like other people or things
• ‘Did you enjoy the play?’ ‘Well, it was certainly different!’
more at put a new/different complexion on sth at complexion, know different/otherwise at know _v., be another/a different matter at matter _n., march to (the beat of) a different drummer/drum at march, pull in different/opposite directions at pull _v., sing a different tune at sing _v., tell a different story/tale at tell
Idiom: different kettle of fish
Derived Word: differently
Word Origin:
late Middle English: via Old French from Latin different- ‘carrying away, differing’, from the verb differre, from dis- ‘from, away’ + ferre ‘bring, carry’.
Thesaurus:
different [different differently] adj.
• The room looks different without the furniture.
unlike • • unequal • • contrasting • • varied • • mixed • • diverse • • assorted • |formal disparate • • dissimilar •
Opp: the same, Opp: similar
different/dissimilar from sth
different/contrasting/varied/diverse/disparate ways
different/contrasting/mixed/diverse /disparate views
look different/unlike sth/dissimilar
British/American:
different from / to / than
Different from is the most common structure in both BrE and NAmE. Different to is also used in BrE: ▪ Paul’s very different from/to his brother. ◊ ▪ This visit is very different from/to last time.
In NAmE people also say different than: ▪ Your trains are different than ours. ◊ ▪ You look different than before.
Before a clause you can also use different from (and different than in NAmE): ▪ She looked different from what I’d expected. ◊ ▪ She looked different than (what) I’d expected.
Example Bank:
• That's a whole different matter.
• The movie's different than the original book.
• The same colour can appear subtly different on different types of paper.
• The tune returns in a subtly different guise.
• Their customs are very different to ours.
• This is a far different movie from his previous one.
• This school is radically different from most others.
• a refreshingly different approach to language learning
• ‘Did you enjoy the play?’ ‘Well, it was certainly different.’
• He's a different proposition from his father— much less tolerant.
• Her methods are different, but no less effective for that.
• I don't mind lizards, but snakes are a different matter.
• It's very different to what I'm used to.
• My son's terribly untidy; my daughter's no different.
• This exquisite little hotel seemed to belong to a different age.
• We come from different worlds.

• We must approach the problem from a different standpoint.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

American English

British English

different and difference

A1 (Basic)

adjective

0

difference

difference [noun] (NOT THE SAME)

the way in which two or more things which you are comparing are not the same

US

/ˈdɪf.ɚ.əns/

UK

/ˈdɪf.ər.əns/

Example:

What's the difference between an ape and a monkey?

Oxford Essential Dictionary

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

difference

dif‧fe‧rence S1 W1 /ˈdɪfərəns/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: verb: ↑differ, ↑differentiate; noun: ↑difference, ↑differentiation; adverb: ↑differently; adjective: ↑different]
1. [uncountable and countable] a way in which two or more people or things are not like each other OPP similarity
difference between
There’s a big difference between knowing that something is true, and being able to prove it.
There is very little difference between the parties on green issues.
Do children know the difference between right and wrong?
difference in
Researchers found a number of important differences in the way boys and girls learn.
There’s a world of difference (=there’s a very big difference) between being alone and being lonely.
2. [singular, uncountable] the amount by which one thing is greater or smaller than another
difference in age/size etc
There’s not much difference in price.
There’s a five-hour time difference between London and New York. ⇨ split the difference at ↑split¹(9)
3. make a/the difference to have an important effect or influence on something or someone:
Whatever she did, it made no difference.
make a/the difference to
One more person wouldn’t make any difference to the arrangements.
make a/the difference between
It could make the difference between missing your train and getting to work on time.
Having a good teacher has made all the difference for Alex (=had an important influence).
4. it makes no difference to somebody used to say that it does not matter to someone which thing happens, is chosen etc:
Morning or afternoon. It makes no difference to me.
5. our/your/their differences disagreements:
We’ve had our differences in the past.
settle/resolve your differences (=agree not to argue any more)
6. difference of opinion a slight disagreement:
There have been some differences of opinion as to exactly how the money should be spent.
7. with a difference informal used to describe something which is interesting or unusual, especially in a good way:
an adventure holiday with a difference

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

difference

dif·fer·ence [difference differences] [ˈdɪfrəns] [ˈdɪfrəns] noun
1. countable, uncountable ~ (between A and B) | ~ (in sth) the way in which two people or things are not like each other; the way in which sb/sth has changed
• There are no significant differences between the education systems of the two countries.
• He was studying the complex similarities and differences between humans and animals.
• There's no difference in the results.
• I can never tell the difference (= distinguish) between the twins
• She noticed a marked difference in the children on her second visit.
• There's a world of difference between liking someone and loving them.
• What a difference! You look great with your hair like that.

Opp: similarity

2. singular, uncountable ~ (in sth) (between A and B) the amount that sth is greater or smaller than sth else
• There's not much difference in price between the two computers.
• There's an age difference of six years between the boys (= one is six years older than the other).
• I'll lend you £500 and you'll have to find the difference (= the rest of the money that you need).

• We measured the difference in temperature.

3. countable a disagreement between people
• We have our differences, but she's still my sister.
• Why don't you settle your differences and be friends again?
• There was a difference of opinion over who had won.
more at bury your differences at bury, sink your differences at sink _v., split the difference at split _v., a/the world of difference at world
Idioms: make a/no/some difference ▪ make all the difference ▪ same difference ▪ with a difference
Word Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin differentia ‘difference’, from different- ‘carrying away’, from the verb differre, from dis- ‘from, away’ + ferre ‘bring, carry’.
Thesaurus:
difference noun C, U
• There are significant differences between the two systems.
contrast • • variation • • distinction • |formal disparity • • variance • • divergence • |technical imbalance •
Opp: similarity
a difference/contrast/variation/distinction/disparity/variance/divergence/imbalance between A and B
a difference/contrast/variation/disparity/variance/divergence/imbalance in sth
show a difference/contrast/variation/distinction/disparity/variance/divergence/imbalance
see/be aware of/look at a difference/contrast/variation/distinction
Language Bank:
contrast
Highlighting differences
▪ This survey highlights a number of differences in ▪ the way that teenage boys and girls in the UK spend their free time.
One of the main differences between ▪ the girls and ▪ the boys who took part in the research was the way in which they use the Internet.
Unlike ▪ the girls, who use the Internet mainly to keep in touch with friends, the boys questioned in this survey tend to use the Internet for playing computer games.
▪ The girls differ from ▪ the boys in that ▪ they tend to spend more time keeping in touch with friends on the telephone or on social networking websites.
Compared to ▪ the boys, the girls spend much more time chatting to friends on the telephone.
▪ On average the girls spend four hours a week chatting to friends on the phone. In contrast ▪, very few of the boys spend more than five minutes a day talking to their friends in this way.
▪ The boys prefer competitive sports and computer games, whereas ▪ / while ▪ the girls seem to enjoy more cooperative activities, such as shopping with friends.
▪ When the girls go shopping, they mainly buy clothes and cosmetics. The boys, on the other hand ▪, tend to purchase computer games or gadgets.
Language Banks at generally, illustrate, proportion, similarly, surprising
Example Bank:
• A small number of additional jobs can make a crucial difference to economic conditions.
• Although the talks were generally successful, differences remain between the groups.
• Can you spot the difference between these two photos?
• Differences may arise when the young people do not have the same expectations as their parents.
• He didn't have enough money, but his aunt agreed to make up the difference.
• He sold the car for more than he'd paid and pocketed the difference.
• He was very aware of his difference from the other children.
• I found very little difference in price.
• I noticed a real difference in his attitude.
• I wanted to leave early and Ian wanted to leave late, so we split the difference and left at noon.
• If you decide on the more expensive model, you can bring this one back and pay the difference.
• If you want a holiday with a difference, come to Iceland.
• It's difficult to tell the difference between butterflies and moths.
• Just five minutes' exercise a day could make all the difference.
• Like any married couple, we have our differences.
• One tiny mistake when you're climbing could mean the difference between life and death.
• Only an expert would know the difference between the male and the female.
• Our different attitudes to life reflect the differences in our backgrounds.
• She and Luke had a difference of opinion over how much money they should spend.
• The difference in price is not very significant.
• The difference lies in the way the fruit is prepared.
• The difference with this information service is that it's free.
• The differences in size arise from the amount of sunshine each plant gets.
• The extra money will make a lot of difference to us.
• The new central heating has made an enormous difference to the house.
• The questionnaire showed vast differences in what kind of product people want.
• The study explores the differences between the way girls and boys talk.
• There are few important policy differences among the main parties.
• There is a striking difference between eastern and western Europe.
• There is one key difference with the earlier version of the software.
• There were some differences as to how to deal with the crisis.
• There's a big difference between reading about skiing and doing it yourself.
• There's all the difference in the world between choosing to do something and being forced to do it.
• There's not much difference between baseball and softball.
• These talks aim to resolve the outstanding differences between the two sides.
• They have had some minor differences, but in general they get on well together.
• We found no significant difference between the two groups.
• We should be focusing on what we have in common rather than emphasizing our differences.
• We're going to get the two sides together to see if they can't settle their differences.
• What difference does it make if he doesn't have a car?
• What's the time difference between London and Tokyo?
• a crucial difference of emphasis
• I can never tell the difference between the twins.
• I'll lend you £500 and you'll have to find the difference.
• There's a world of difference between liking someone and loving them.
• There's an age difference of six years between the two boys.
• There's not much difference in price between the two computers.
• We have our differences, but she's still my sister.
• What a difference! You look great with your hair like that

• Why don't you settle your differences and be friends again?

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

difference

dif·fer·ence /ˈdɪfrəns/ noun, pl -enc·es
1 : the quality that makes one person or thing unlike another

[noncount]

• She knows the difference between right and wrong.
• There's no difference between the two houses. They look exactly the same.

[singular]

• There's a striking difference in the sisters' looks. [=they look very different from each other]
✦To tell the difference between two people or things is to see how they are unlike each other.
• It's hard to tell the difference [=distinguish] between one action movie and another.
• The new version is supposed to be much better than the old one, but I can't tell the difference (between them).
2 [count] : 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 [count] : 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]
make a difference
1 : to cause a change : to be important in some way
• Cost can make a difference in deciding on a college.
• “When would you like to leave?” “It makes no difference (to me).” [=it doesn't matter to me; I don't care]
• The weather didn't make any difference in our plans. [=didn't change our plans]
• It would make a lot of difference if you came.
• Your help made a big difference.
• It makes very little difference. [=it matters very little]
• The size of the engine can make all the difference. [=can be very important; can matter most]
• It may not matter to you, but it makes all the difference in the world to me. = It makes a world of difference to me. [=it matters very much to me]
2 : to do something that is important : to do something that helps people or makes the world a better place
• She says that she got into politics because she wanted to make a difference.
same difference chiefly US informal
- used to say that two things are not really different in any important way
• “They lost 100 games last year.” “Actually, they only lost 96 games.” “Same difference. The point is, they were awful.”
split the difference
- see ¹split
what's the difference?
1
- used to ask how one thing is different from another
• “I like this one a lot more than that one.” “Why? What's the difference (between them)?”
2 or what difference does it/that make?
- used to ask why something is important or to suggest that something is not important
• What's the difference whether I go or not?
• What difference does it make [=what does it matter] if I go with you?