Differ
/ˈdɪfər/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo be unlike or dissimilar; to deviate or be at variance.
/ˈdɪfər/
To be unlike or dissimilar.
The opinions of the two experts differ significantly.
💡 Simply: Imagine you and your best friend are getting ice cream. You both get different flavors! 'Differ' is like that, meaning things are not the same.
👶 For kids: When things are not the same, they differ. Like your red shirt and your blue pants!
More Examples
The results differ depending on the testing method used.
Their approach to the problem differed greatly.
How It's Used
"The two paintings differ greatly in style."
"Our marketing strategies differ based on the target demographic."
To hold or express a different opinion; to disagree.
/ˈdɪfər/
To disagree.
I differ with the author's conclusions.
💡 Simply: Imagine your friend wants pizza, and you want burgers. You *differ* in what you want to eat! It means you have different ideas.
👶 For kids: When you and your friend think different things, you differ. You want to play outside, and your friend wants to play inside.
More Examples
We may differ on the details, but we agree on the overall goal.
The committee members continue to differ over the budget allocation.
How It's Used
"The candidates differ on tax policy."
"I differ with you on this point, and I think we should look at this in a more nuanced way."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
differ from
To be unlike; to be different compared to something else.
"This new model differs from the previous one in several key features."
agree to differ
To accept that you have different opinions and stop arguing.
"After hours of debate, they decided to agree to differ."
From Latin *differre* ('to carry apart, postpone, differ'), from *dis-* ('apart') + *ferre* ('to carry').
The word 'differ' has been used in the English language since the 14th century, originally signifying to 'postpone' or 'defer', later evolving to its modern sense of being unlike or disagreeing.
Memory tip
Think of the word 'different'. Differ means to be *different* from something else.
Word Origin
"to carry apart, postpone, differ"