difference

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the quality of being unlike or dissimilar

   there are many differences between jazz and rock

2. 2
   noun

   a significant change

   The difference in the student's performance is amazing.

3. 3
   noun

   The quality of being different.

   You need to learn to be more tolerant of difference.

4. 4
   noun

   A characteristic of something that makes it different from something else.

   There are three differences between these two pictures.

5. 5
   noun

   A disagreement or argument.

   We have our little differences, but we are firm friends.

6. 6
   noun

   Significant change in or effect on a situation or state.

   It just won't make much difference to me.

7. 7
   noun

   The result of a subtraction; sometimes the absolute value of this result.

   The difference between 3 and 21 is 18.

8. 8
   noun

   Choice; preference.

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

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.