difference definition | Dictionary.com

dif⋅fer⋅ence

[dif-er-uh

ns, dif-ruh

ns]

noun, verb, -enced, -enc⋅ing.

Use difference in a Sentence

–noun

1.	the state or relation of being different; dissimilarity: There is a great difference between the two.

2.	an instance or point of unlikeness or dissimilarity: What accounts for the differences in their behavior?

3.	a significant change in or effect on a situation: His tact makes a difference in the way people accept his suggestions.

4.	a distinguishing characteristic; distinctive quality, feature, etc.: The difference in the two products is quality.

5.	the degree to which one person or thing differs from another.

6.	the act of distinguishing; discrimination; distinction.

7.	a disagreement in opinion.

8.	a dispute or quarrel.

Also called finite distance. Mathematics.

a.	the amount by which one quantity is greater or less than another.

b.	relative complement.

c.	(of a function f) an expression of the form f(x + h) − f(x).

10.	a differentia.

–verb (used with object)

11.	to cause or constitute a difference in or between; make different.

12.	to perceive the difference in or between; discriminate.

—Idiom

13.

split the difference,

a.	to compromise, esp. to make equal concessions.

b.	to divide the remainder equally: Let's take half of the cake and let the three of them split the difference.

Origin:
1300–50; ME (< AF) < L differentia, equiv. to different- carrying different ways (see different ) + -ia -ia; see -ence

Synonyms:
1. inconsistency, variation, diversity, imbalance, inequality, divergence, contrast, contrariety. Difference, discrepancy, disparity, dissimilarity imply perceivable unlikeness, variation, or diversity. Difference refers to a lack of identity or a degree of unlikeness: a difference of opinion; a difference of six inches. Discrepancy usually refers to an inconsistency between things that should agree, balance, or harmonize: a discrepancy between the statements of two witnesses. Disparity implies inequality, often where a greater equality might reasonably be expected: a great disparity between the ages of husband and wife. Dissimilarity indicates an essential lack of resemblance between things in some respect comparable: a dissimilarity between social customs in Asia and America. 6. See distinction.

Antonyms:
1. similarity, agreement.

relative complement

–noun Mathematics.

the set of elements contained in a given set that are not elements of another specified set.

Also called difference.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To difference

dif·fer·ence (dĭf'ər-əns, dĭf'rəns)

The quality or condition of being unlike or dissimilar.
1. An instance of disparity or unlikeness.
2. A degree or amount by which things differ.
3. A specific point or element that distinguishes one thing from another.
4. A disagreement or controversy.
5. A cause of a disagreement or controversy.
6. The amount by which one quantity is greater or less than another.
7. The amount that remains after one quantity is subtracted from another.
A noticeable change or effect: Exercise has made a difference in her health.
1. A disagreement or controversy.
2. A cause of a disagreement or controversy.
3. The amount by which one quantity is greater or less than another.
4. The amount that remains after one quantity is subtracted from another.
Discrimination in taste or choice; distinction.
Mathematics
1. The amount by which one quantity is greater or less than another.
2. The amount that remains after one quantity is subtracted from another.
Archaic A distinct mark or peculiarity.

tr.v. dif·fer·enced, dif·fer·enc·ing, dif·fer·enc·es
To distinguish or differentiate.

Synonyms: These nouns refer to a lack of correspondence or agreement. Difference is the most general: differences in color and size; a difference of opinion.
Dissimilarity is difference between things otherwise alike or comparable: a dissimilarity between the twins' personalities.
Unlikeness usually implies greater and more obvious difference: unlikeness among their teaching styles.
Divergence suggests an increasing difference: points of divergence between British and American English.
Variation occurs between things of the same class or species; often it refers to modification of something original, prescribed, or typical: variations in temperature; a variation in shape.
Distinction often means a difference in detail determinable only by close inspection: the distinction between "good" and "excellent."
A discrepancy is a difference between things that should correspond or match: a discrepancy between his words and his actions.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Difference

Dif"fer*ence\, n. [F. diff['e]rence, L. differentia.]

1. The act of differing; the state or measure of being different or unlike; distinction; dissimilarity; unlikeness; variation; as, a difference of quality in paper; a difference in degrees of heat, or of light; what is the difference between the innocent and the guilty?

Differencies of administration, but the same Lord. --1 Cor. xii. 5.

2. Disagreement in opinion; dissension; controversy; quarrel; hence, cause of dissension; matter in controversy.

What was the difference? It was a contention in public. --Shak.

Away therefore went I with the constable, leaving the old warden and the young constable to compose their difference as they could. --T. Ellwood.

3. That by which one thing differs from another; that which distinguishes or causes to differ; mark of distinction; characteristic quality; specific attribute.

The marks and differences of sovereignty. --Davies.

4. Choice; preference. [Obs.]

That now he chooseth with vile difference To be a beast, and lack intelligence. --Spenser.

5. (Her.) An addition to a coat of arms to distinguish the bearings of two persons, which would otherwise be the same. See Augmentation, and Marks of cadency, under Cadency.

6. (Logic) The quality or attribute which is added to those of the genus to constitute a species; a differentia.

7. (Math.) The quantity by which one quantity differs from another, or the remainder left after subtracting the one from the other.

Ascensional difference. See under Ascensional.

Syn: Distinction; dissimilarity; dissimilitude; variation; diversity; variety; contrariety; disagreement; variance; contest; contention; dispute; controversy; debate; quarrel; wrangle; strife.

Difference

Dif"fer*ence\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Differenced; p. pr. & vb. n. Differencing.] To cause to differ; to make different; to mark as different; to distinguish.

Thou mayest difference gods from men. --Chapman.

Kings, in receiving justice and undergoing trial, are not differenced from the meanest subject. --Milton.

So completely differenced by their separate and individual characters that we at once acknowledge them as distinct persons. --Sir W. Scott.

Language Translation for : difference

Spanish: diferencia,

German: der Unterschied,

Japanese: 違い

More Translations »

difference

1340, from O.Fr. difference, from L. differentia, from differentem (nom. differens), prp. of differre "to set apart" (see differ). Sense of "a quarrel" first attested 1387. Colloquial phrase what's the diff? first recorded 1896. Different is from c.1384; differential is from 1647; differentiate first attested 1816, on model of Fr. différencier; originally a mathematical term, trans. and non-technical sense of "discriminate between" is from 1876. Earlier, difference had been used as a verb in this sense.

difference dif·fer·ence (dĭf'ər-əns, dĭf'rəns)
n.
The magnitude or degree by which one quantity differs from another of the same kind.

difference

see make a difference; split the difference. Also see under different.

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