Definition Definition

difference - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'difference' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Difference [ n.]
- 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?
- Disagreement in opinion; dissension; controversy; quarrel; hence, cause of dissension; matter in controversy.
- That by which one thing differs from another; that which distinguishes or causes to differ; mark of distinction; characteristic quality; specific attribute.
- Choice; preference.
- 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.
- The quality or attribute which is added to those of the genus to constitute a species; a differentia.
- The quantity by which one quantity differs from another, or the remainder left after subtracting the one from the other.
2 . Difference [ v. t.]
- To cause to differ; to make different; to mark as different; to distinguish.

Meaning of 'difference' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . difference [ n]
Meaning (1):
- a disagreement or argument about something important
Example in sentence:
  • he had a dispute with his wife;
  • the familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats;
  • there were irreconcilable differences
Meaning (2):
- a significant change
Example in sentence:
  • his support made a real difference;
  • the difference in her is amazing
Meaning (3):
- a variation that deviates from the standard or norm
Example in sentence:
  • the deviation from the mean
Meaning (4):
- the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
Example in sentence:
  • there are many differences between jazz and rock