Word
difference
Phoneticsdif·fer·ence, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdɪfɝəns/
UK/dˈɪfɹəns/
Definitions
01state of being different
A1 · Beginner Uncountable noun
n. the quality of not being the same as something else.
n. the abstract quality or state of being dissimilar or distinct.
“I can't see much difference between the two phone models.”
“The difference in quality between the hand-crafted prototype and the mass-produced version was immediately apparent to the inspectors.”
Pitfall
There is a big difference of these two cars.
There is a big difference between these two cars.
Use 'between' when comparing two specific things.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02a specific variation
A1 · Beginner Countable noun
n. a specific thing that makes one person or object not like another.
n. a specific characteristic or feature that distinguishes one entity from another.
“One major difference is that the new version has a better camera.”
“The researchers identified several key differences in the way the two groups responded to the stimulus over a six-month period.”
Synonyms
03making an impact
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun
n. a significant change or effect on a situation.
n. a significant effect, influence, or change in a state of affairs; often used with the verb 'make'.
“Adding more salt made a big difference to the taste of the soup.”
“The new community centre has made a real difference to the lives of young people in this neighbourhood.”
04a disagreement
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a disagreement or argument between people.
n. a disagreement or dispute regarding an opinion or a course of action.
Español:diferencia
“They had a few differences of opinion but they are still good friends.”
“The two business partners decided to split up after failing to resolve their professional differences regarding the company's future.”
Synonyms
05math result
A2 · Elementary Countable noun Mathematics
n. the amount you get when you subtract one number from another.
n. the remainder obtained by subtracting one quantity from another.
“The difference between ten and seven is three.”
“To calculate the profit margin, you must first determine the difference between the gross revenue and the total operating expenses.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “difference” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English difference, from Old French difference, from Latin differentia (“difference”), from differēns (“different”), present participle of differre. Doublet of differentia. Morphologically differ + -ence.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Idioms
03. same difference
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/difference
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0