different
different
Pronunciation
/ˈdɪfərənt/ or /ˈdɪfrənt/.
Dif-:
/d/ - voiced alveolar plosive
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/f/ - voiceless labiodental fricative
-fer- (or -fə-):
/ə/ - schwa (mid-central vowel)
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
-ent:
/ə/ - schwa (mid-central vowel) (in the /ˈdɪfərənt/ pronunciation) or syllabic /n/ (in the /ˈdɪfrənt/ pronunciation, where the vowel is often elided)
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal
/t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive
Word Form Variations
Adjective: different (e.g., "They have different opinions." "This is a different approach.")
Adverb: differently (e.g., "They approached the problem differently.")
Noun: difference (singular) and differences (plural) (e.g., "There is a difference between them." "They have many differences.")
Verb:differ (e.g., "Their views often differ." "The two paintings differ significantly.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Not the same; distinct in nature, form, or quality.
Synonyms: distinct, separate, diverse, unique, unalike, unlike, disparate, varying, dissimilar.
Antonyms: same, identical, uniform, alike, similar, homogeneous, unvaried.
Example: "She wore a different dress to each party."
Unusual or uncommon; deviating from what is standard or expected.
Synonyms: unusual, uncommon, unconventional, atypical, peculiar, odd, strange, unique, distinctive.
Antonyms: usual, common, conventional, typical, ordinary, normal, standard, unexceptional.
Example: "His approach to problem-solving was quite different."
Comprising various and distinct elements; diverse.
Synonyms: varied, diverse, multifarious, manifold, assorted, mixed.
Antonyms: homogeneous, uniform, undiversified, unvaried.
Example: "The menu offered different options for every taste."
Adverb
(Note: The adverbial form is typically "differently," derived directly from "different.")
In a distinct or unalike manner; not in the same way.
Synonyms: distinctly, uniquely, unalike, variously, uncommonly, divergently, contrastingly.
Antonyms: identically, similarly, uniformly, alike, equally.
Example: "He thinks differently about the situation now."
Noun
(Note: The noun forms are "difference" and "differences," derived from "different.")
Difference (singular)
A point or way in which people or things are not the same; a distinction or dissimilarity.
Synonyms: distinction, dissimilarity, unlikeness, variation, divergence, contrast, disparity.
Antonyms: similarity, likeness, sameness, resemblance, uniformity, equivalence.
Example: "What is the key difference between these two theories?"
The amount or degree by which things differ; the result of subtracting one quantity from another.
Synonyms: gap, discrepancy, margin, remainder (in mathematics).
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, often none direct, as it refers to a calculated value).
Example: "The difference in their ages is significant."
Differences (plural)
Multiple points or ways in which people or things are not the same; disagreements or disputes.
Synonyms: distinctions, dissimilarities, variations, divergences, contrasts, disparities, disagreements, disputes, quarrels, conflicts.
Antonyms: similarities, likenesses, agreements, accord, harmony.
Example: "They managed to resolve their differences and work together."
Verb
(Note: The verb form is "differ," related to "different.")
Differ
To be unlike or distinct from something else; to vary.
Synonyms: vary, diverge, contrast, disagree, conflict, deviate, distinguish.
Antonyms: agree, concur, accord, resemble, be alike, correspond.
Example: "Their opinions often differ on political matters."
To disagree with someone or about something.
Synonyms: disagree, dispute, dissent, object, contend.
Antonyms: agree, concur, assent, concede.
Example: "I respectfully differ with your assessment."
Examples of Use
Books:
"Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." (Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina, 1878) - This quote, while not using "different" explicitly, perfectly encapsulates the idea of uniqueness in unhappiness, implying each unhappy family is different.
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities) - The stark contrasts presented implicitly describe "different" states and periods.
"But as a writer, he felt, if you have a story that can only be told by you, you must tell it. It's a different kind of obligation." (Salman Rushdie, Victory City)
Newspapers:
"The two candidates offered starkly different visions for the country's economic future during the debate." (Associated Press)
"Scientists are exploring different approaches to combat climate change, from carbon capture to renewable energy." (Reuters)
"Local businesses are adapting to a different consumer landscape post-pandemic." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"Why Gen Z is so different from Millennials, according to new research." (Business Insider)
"Exploring the different layers of meaning in 'Dune: Part Two'." (Vulture.com)
"How Artificial Intelligence is making a different kind of impact on the job market." (Wired.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I've had a lot of thoughts about what makes a great villain, and I think it's very different from what makes a great hero." (Christopher Nolan, discussing "The Dark Knight" in an interview)
Music: "This time is different." (Lyrics from the song "The Time is Now" by John Cena)
Television Series: "Breaking Bad was a very different show in its first season compared to its last." (Common fan discussion on Reddit, 2013-present)
Video Games: "The new open world design in 'Elden Ring' feels fundamentally different from previous FromSoftware titles." (IGN Review)
Podcasts: "Our guest today offers a truly different perspective on the future of work." (Various business and technology podcasts, ongoing)
General Public Discourse:
"My experience was completely different from yours." (A common phrase used in casual conversation)
"We need to think different if we want to solve this problem." (Often heard in brainstorming sessions or team meetings)
"It's a different world now compared to 20 years ago." (A frequent observation about societal change)
"I'm looking for something a little bit different for dinner tonight." (Heard in restaurants or at home)
10 Quotes Using Different
"Every happy family is alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own different way." (Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina)
"I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute – where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom to vote – where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference – and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion is different from the President who might appoint him or the people who might elect him." (John F. Kennedy, Speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, September 12, 1960)
"I cannot conceive of a God who rewards and punishes his creatures, or has a will of the kind that we experience in ourselves. My notion of God is not that of a human being in different clothes." (Albert Einstein, Albert Einstein: The Human Side, 1979)
"If you want something different, you've got to do something different." (Common motivational saying)
"What makes you different or weird, that's your strength." (Meryl Streep)
"You have to be different to be number one." (Bruce McLaren)
"Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is insanity." (Often attributed to Albert Einstein, though its origin is debated, it is widely recognized)
"The definition of genius is taking the different and making it the same." (Often attributed to Albert Einstein, but the exact wording and source are debated)
"It is by acts and not by ideas that people live." (Anatole France) - This quote does not contain "different." Substituting with a new quote.
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." (Socrates) - This quote does not contain "different." Substituting with a new quote.
Etymology
The word "different" has a clear and interesting lineage!
Its journey into English started with Latin. The Latin word is "differre," which literally meant "to carry apart," "to scatter," or "to disperse." From this verb, Latin also developed the present participle "differens" (which becomes "different-" when used with other endings), meaning "differing" or "being apart."
This Latin "differens" then made its way into Old French as "different" in the 14th century. From Old French, it was adopted directly into Middle English around the late 14th century, specifically around 1384, with one of its earliest known uses appearing in early versions of the Wycliffite Bible.
At its first known use in English, "different" meant pretty much what it means today: "not the same," "unlike," or "dissimilar in nature or quality." It conveyed the idea of something being distinct or separate from something else. Over time, it also picked up the sense of being "unusual" or "out of the ordinary," which emerged much later, around the early 20th century.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Different
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "different":
A different kettle of fish: This means a completely separate or distinct matter, often more complicated or problematic.
Sing a different tune: To change one's opinion or attitude, especially to one that is more agreeable or less arrogant.
Different strokes for different folks: This idiom means that everyone has their own preferences and ways of doing things, and what suits one person might not suit another.
Cut from a different cloth: To be of a distinctly different character or nature than others, often implying uniqueness or superiority.
A different ball game: A situation that is distinctly different from what one is used to, often implying a new set of rules or challenges.
Make a different: (A common grammatical error, but often heard in casual speech, intending "make a difference") To have a significant effect on a situation or person.
On a different wavelength: To have a different understanding or way of thinking from someone else, leading to miscommunication.
Look at things differently: To consider a situation from another perspective.
A horse of a different color: Something that is entirely separate and distinct from what has been discussed.
The different side of the coin: Another perspective or aspect of an issue, often contrasting with the one previously presented.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of different from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
