Difference — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈdi-f(ə-)rən(t)s/ dif·fer·ence

Meaning & Definition of Difference

Difference (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being dissimilar or different
  2. an instance of being unlike or distinct in nature, form, or quality
  3. a characteristic that distinguishes one from another or from the average

Difference (verb)

  1. differentiate, distinguish

Difference (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the quality or state of being different

    "there's a great difference between claiming to care about the environment and living like you really do"

    similar: contrast, disagreement, discrepancy, disparateness, disparity, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, distance, distinction, distinctiveness, distinctness, diverseness, diversity, otherness, unlikeness
    related: deviance, divergence, differentiability, discriminability, distinguishability, change, modification, variation, conflict, discord, discordance, dissension, dissent, dissidence, disunity, friction, strife, variability, variance, anomalousness, dichotomy, incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness, nonconformity, disproportion, imbalance, inequality, nonequivalence
    opposite: alikeness, analogousness, analogy, community, likeness, resemblance, sameness, similarity
    near: identicalness, identity, accordance, agreement, conformity, congruity, correspondence, parallelism, similitude, equality, equivalence, equivalency, homogeneity, homogeneousness, uniformity

  2. variance of opinion on a matter

    "we must try to settle our differences without fighting"

    similar: contestation, controversy, debate, difficulty, disagreement, disputation, dispute, dissension, dissensus, firestorm, nonconcurrence
    related: clash, collision, conflict, confliction, disaccord, discord, dissonance, apartness, divarication, division, combat, contention, strife, struggle, altercation, argument, bicker, falling-out, fight, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, set-to
    opposite: accord, agreement, consensus, harmony, unanimity
    near: acceptance, compliance, concord, peace

  3. the act, process, or result of making different

    "it won't make any difference which one you choose"

    similar: alteration, change, modification, redoing, refashioning, remaking, remodeling, revamping, review, revise, revision, reworking, variation
    related: amendment, correction, rectification, reform, conversion, deformation, distortion, metamorphosis, mutation, transfiguration, transformation, fluctuation, oscillation, shift, displacement, replacement, substitution, adjustment, modulation, regulation, tweak, redesign, redo
    opposite: fixation, stabilization

Difference (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to understand or point out the difference in

    "people who cannot difference God's will from their own selfish desires and prejudices"

    similar: differentiate, discern, discriminate, distinguish, secern, separate
    related: contradistinguish, comprehend, grasp, know, understand, divide, part, sever, demarcate, mark (off), set off
    opposite: confuse, mistake, mix (up)
    near: confound, lump (together), mingle

Related Entry: Split (verb)

Split is a different word from Difference. The synonyms below are for split, not for difference.

  1. to set or force apart

    "You should split logs now for a winter's supply of wood."

    similar: break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, dissociate, disunite, divide, divorce, part, ramify, resolve, separate, sever, sunder, uncouple, unlink, unyoke
    related: break down, decompose, disassemble, disintegrate, dissolve, bifurcate, bisect, cleave, dichotomize, dissect, fractionalize, fractionate, halve, partition, quarter, segment, subdivide, trisect, fragment, fragmentate, fragmentize, break, fracture, pull, rend, rift, rip, rive, rupture, tear, cut off, insulate, isolate, seclude, segregate, sequester, detach, disengage, disentangle, unravel, untie
    opposite: join, link, unify, unite
    near: assemble, associate, blend, combine, mingle, mix, connect, couple, accumulate, agglutinate, attach, bind, cement, close, fasten, fuse, knit, stick, weld

  2. to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups

    "The party split over which tax policy to endorse."

    similar: divide, polarize, separate, splinter
    related: fracture, fragment, alienate, disaffect, disgruntle, estrange, antagonize, embitter
    near: coalesce, unify, unite, conciliate, harmonize, reconcile, concentrate, consolidate

Related Entry: Split (on) (verb)

Split (on) is a different word from Difference. The synonyms below are for split (on), not for difference.

  1. to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities

    "promise you won't split on us, and we'll tell you what happened"

    similar: fink, grass (on) (British slang), inform, rat (on), sing, snitch, squeak, squeal, talk, tell (on), drop a dime (on)
    related: betray, give away, turn in, backstab, cross, double-cross, sell (out), two-time, blab, tattle, tip (off)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Difference

The most common words with a similar meaning to Difference:

contrast, disagreement, discrepancy, disparateness, disparity, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, distance, distinction, distinctiveness, distinctness, diverseness, diversity, otherness, unlikeness, contestation, controversy, debate, difficulty, disputation, dispute, dissension, dissensus, firestorm, nonconcurrence, alteration, change, modification, redoing, refashioning, remaking, remodeling, revamping, review, revise, revision, reworking, variation, differentiate, discern

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Difference

Words with the opposite meaning of Difference:

alikeness, analogousness, analogy, community, likeness, resemblance, sameness, similarity, accord, agreement, consensus, harmony, unanimity, fixation, stabilization, confuse, mistake, mix (up)

Related Words for Difference

deviance, divergence, differentiability, discriminability, distinguishability, conflict, discord, discordance, dissent, dissidence, disunity, friction, strife, variability, variance, anomalousness, dichotomy, incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness, nonconformity, disproportion, imbalance, inequality, nonequivalence, clash, collision, confliction, disaccord

Near Antonyms of Difference

identicalness, identity, accordance, conformity, congruity, correspondence, parallelism, similitude, equality, equivalence, equivalency, homogeneity, homogeneousness, uniformity, acceptance, compliance, concord, peace, confound, lump (together), mingle

Word Forms of Difference

Inflections: differenced, differencing

Origin & Etymology of Difference

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin differentia "distinction, distinguishing characteristic," from different-, differens, present participle of differre "to carry in varying directions, delay, differ" + -ia -ia:1

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Difference

Words & Phrases Containing Difference

common difference, finite difference, learning difference, potential difference, split the difference, vive la difference, a difference of opinion, age difference

Frequently Asked Questions about Difference

What does "Difference" mean?

"Difference" means the quality or state of being dissimilar or different. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the quality or state of being dissimilar or different. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Difference"?

Other words for "Difference" include contrast, disagreement, discrepancy, disparateness, disparity, dissimilarity, dissimilitude and distance. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Difference" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Difference"?

There are 124 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Difference". Common alternatives include contrast, disagreement, discrepancy, disparateness, disparity, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, distance, distinction and distinctiveness.

What is the opposite of "Difference"?

Antonyms of "Difference" include alikeness, analogousness, analogy, community, likeness, resemblance, sameness and similarity. Near antonyms include identicalness, identity, accordance and conformity.

How do you use "Difference" in a sentence?

Examples of "Difference" in a sentence: "there's a great difference between claiming to care about the environment and living like you really do"; "we must try to settle our differences without fighting"; "it won't make any difference which one you choose".

Is "Difference" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Difference" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Difference" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Difference" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Difference"?

"Difference" is pronounced /ˈdi-f(ə-)rən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as dif·fer·ence.