Difference
'dɪfərəns
Definitions
4 meaningsThe state or fact of being different.
'dɪfərəns
The state of being different or dissimilar.
There's a big difference in the prices of the two cars.
💡 Simply: Imagine you and your friend are wearing different colored shirts. The difference is the color of your shirts! It's about what makes things not the same.
👶 For kids: When things are not the same. Like when you have a red toy and your friend has a blue toy. That's a difference!
More Examples
The main difference between the two proposals is the funding source.
She pointed out the difference in their approaches to the problem.
How It's Used
"The difference in their opinions caused an argument."
"The difference between 10 and 5 is 5."
"There is a significant difference in the quality of product between the two suppliers"
A point of disagreement or distinction.
'dɪfərəns
A point or respect in which things differ.
We agreed to disagree on several key differences.
💡 Simply: Imagine you and your friend disagree about pizza toppings. The difference is what you each want on the pizza.
👶 For kids: When people have different ideas about something, that's a difference!
More Examples
The political parties have major differences on tax policy.
The differences in opinion led to a heated debate.
How It's Used
"They had some differences on how to raise children."
"The differences between the parties were clearly apparent during the debate."
The amount that remains after one quantity is subtracted from another.
'dɪfərəns
The result of subtraction.
The difference between 20 and 15 is 5.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have 10 cookies and eat 3. The difference is how many cookies are left.
👶 For kids: When you take some things away, what's left is the difference!
More Examples
Can you calculate the difference between the two numbers?
The difference is an important concept in subtraction.
How It's Used
"The difference between 10 and 3 is 7."
Special treatment or respect shown towards someone, often based on their social standing or other characteristics.
'dɪfərəns
Special treatment or privilege.
The king was treated with utmost difference.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone gets treated extra nicely because they're important, like in a movie about kings and queens.
👶 For kids: When people are treated special because of who they are, that's like a difference.
More Examples
She was granted a level of difference due to her achievements.
Difference toward elders is a sign of respect in many cultures.
How It's Used
"The aristocracy was granted certain differences by the crown."
"She was treated with a level of difference because of her position."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
make a difference
To have a positive or significant effect on something or someone.
"The charity work really made a difference in the lives of the homeless."
splitting hairs
To argue about very small or unimportant details.
"They were splitting hairs over such a minor issue that it was a waste of time."
agree to disagree
To accept that people have different opinions and will not change them.
"After a long debate, they agreed to disagree."
From Middle French *difference*, from Latin *differentia* ('a difference, distinction'), from *differre* ('to differ').
The word 'difference' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to disagreement or dispute, but gradually acquiring a broader sense of dissimilarity.
Memory tip
Think of two things that do not resemble each other.