Difference

Definition: Difference

Difference

Noun

1. The quality of being unlike or dissimilar: "there are many differences between jazz and rock".

2. A quantity obtained by subtraction; "profit is a positive difference between income and expenses".

3. A variation that deviates from the standard or norm; "the deviation from the mean".

4. A disagreement or argument about something important; "he had a dispute with his wife"; "there were irreconcilable differences"; "the familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats".

5. A significant change; "the difference in her is amazing"; "his support made a real difference".

Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
 

Date "difference" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1258. (references)

Computing

Literature

Math

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

DIFFERENCE

Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references).

Synonyms: Difference

Absence of Choice

Phrase: who cares? what difference does it make? "There's not a dime's worth of difference between them.".

Compromise

Verb: compromise, commute, compound; take the mean; split the difference, meet one halfway, give and take; come to terms; (contract); submit to arbitration, abide by arbitration; patch up, bridge over, arrange; straighten out, adjust, differences, agree; make the best of, make a virtue of necessity; take the will for the deed.

Difference

Nice distinction, fine distinction, delicate distinction, subtle distinction; shade of difference, nuance; discrimination; differentia.

Noun: difference; variance, variation, variety; diversity, dissimilarity; disagreement; disparity; (inequality); distinction, contradistinction; alteration. modification, permutation, moods and tenses.

Discord

Variance, difference, dissension, misunderstanding, cross purposes, odds, brouillerie; division, split, rupture, disruption, division in the camp, house divided against itself, disunion, breach; schism; (dissent); feud, faction.

Discrimination

Phrase: il y a fagots et fagots; rem acu tetigisti; la critique est aisee et l'art est difficile; miles apart; a distinction without a difference.

Noun: discrimination, distinction, differentiation, diagnosis, diorism; nice perception; perception of difference, appreciation of difference; estimation; nicety, refinement; taste; critique, judgment; tact; discernment; (intelligence); acuteness, penetration; nuances.

Dissent

Noun: dissent; discordance; (disagreement); difference diversity of opinion.

Dissimilarity

Noun: dissimilarity, dissimilaritude; unlikeness, diversity, disparity, dissemblance; divergence, variatioNoun: difference; novelty, originality; creativeness; oogamy.

Equality

Equivalence; equipollence, equipoise, equilibrium, equiponderance; par, quits, a wash; not a pin to choose; distinction without a difference, six of one and half a dozen of the other; tweedle dee and tweedle dum;equivalence; equipollence, equipoise, equilibrium, equiponderance; par, quits, a wash; not a pin to choose; distinction without a difference, six of one and half a dozen of the other; tweedle dee and tweedle dum; identity; similarity.

Inequality

Noun: inequality; disparity, imparity; odds; difference; unevenness; inclination of the balance, partiality, bias, weight; shortcoming; casting weight, make-weight; superiority; inferiority; inequation.

Mean

Verb: split the difference; take the average; Noun: reduce to a mean; Noun: strike a balance, pair off.

Number

Sum, difference, complement, subtrahend; product; multiplicand, multiplier, multiplicator; coefficient, multiple; dividend, divisor, factor, quotient, submultiple; fraction, rational number; surd, irrational number; transcendental number; mixed number, complex number, complex conjugate; numerator, denominator; decimal, circulating decimal, repetend; common measure, aliquot part; prime number, prime, relative prime, prime factor, prime pair; reciprocal; totient.

Numeration

Abacus, logometer, slide rule, slipstick, tallies, Napier's bones, calculating machine, difference engine, suan-pan; adding machine; cash register; electronic calculator, calculator, computer;

Crosswords: Difference

They drink it because they don't know the difference. (The American President; writing credit: Aaron Sorkin.)

There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path (The Matrix; writing credit: Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski.)

The difference between you and I is that you can leave anytime you choose (Moulin Rouge!; writing credit: Baz Luhrmann; Craig Pearce)

You know the difference between what's real and what's not. (Twelve Monkeys; writing credit: David Webb Peoples)

Well, that's a pretty big age difference. It's quite pervy really (Bridget Jones's Diary; writing credit: Helen Fielding)

The only difference (The Difference; performing artist: The Wallflowers)

It never made a difference to me (Can't Stop; performing artist: After 7)

The difference in Iraq and Iran (Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning); performing artist: Alan Jackson)

Don't make no difference what nobody says (HUNGRY HEART; performing artist: Bruce Springsteen)

Those who think difference is the child of disease (Believe; performing artist: Elton John)

It is difference of opinion that makes horse races. (references; author: Mark Twain)

Same difference (references; author: unknown)

The difference between a duck and a co-pilot? The duck can fly. (references; author: unknown)

Old folks say, "The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth. (references; author: unknown)

What's the difference between roast beef and pea soup?� Anyone can roast beef. (references; author: unknown)

The Man Who Makes the Difference (1968)

It Makes a Difference (1917)

Pimple Splits the Difference (1916)

The Fable of the Difference Between Learning and Learning How (1914)

All Your Difference (2003)

The Difference (performing artist: The Wallflowers)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Books

• The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference (reference)

• Handling the Big Jets: an Explanation of the Significant Difference in Flying Qualities Between Jet Transport Aeroplanes and Piston Engined transpor (reference)

• One Frog Can Make a Difference : Kermit's Guide to Life in the 90s (reference)

• The Woman at the Keyhole: Feminism and Women's Cinema (Theories of Representation and Difference) (reference)

• When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference (reference)

  (more book examples)

Periodicals

• Parents Make The Difference (reference)

  (more periodical examples)

Theater & Movies

• Kingdom of Goode - A Tale of Difference (reference)

• Making a Difference (reference)

  (more DVD examples; more video examples)

Music

• Make the Difference (reference)

• Same Difference [EXTRA TRACKS] (reference)

• Songs 4 Life: Kids Make a Difference! (reference)

  (more classical music examples; more popular music examples)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Shown is a side-by-side of two normal mammograms showing the difference between a dense breast (left) and a fatty breast (right). The dense breast is that of a woman aged 39, the fatty breast is that of a 59-year old woman. Abnormal lesions are easier to detect and diagnose in a fatty breast making mammography more accurate. Credit: Unknown photographer/artist.

Seen is a normal mole, with no difference in shades of brown, black, or tan. Part of the ABCDs for detection of melanoma. See artwork: WYNTK-15b. Credit: Unknown photographer/artist.

Boulder Creek, under Iron Mountain Mine influence in the foreground and above its influence in the background. Note the difference in riparian vegetation. Salamanders live above the mine's influence. Credit: NOAA Restoration Center.

Figure 21. Silvertown Company sounder, a device very similar to the Belknap- Sigsbee sounder with one important difference. This sounder had a unique ballast release method which involved a knife cutting the line holding the ballast upon beginning of ascent. This device was used in cable laying surveys. Credit: Sailing for Science - the NOAA Fleet Then and Now.

Figure 42. Hopfgartner and Arzberger sounder, devised by Lieutenant Franz von Hopfgartner of the Austrian Merchant Marine and Moriz Arzberger, a civil enginee r, this apparatus used the same principle as aneroid barometers which utilized the pressure difference between a wall, isolated or not, and the exterior medium . It was tested in 1876 in the Gulf of Trieste in depths up to 17 meters. Credit: Sailing for Science - the NOAA Fleet Then and Now.

Graphic showing difference of coverage of inclined orbit satellite versus polar orbit satellite. Credit: NOAA in Space.

A stark difference in grazing methods and rangeland management can be seen in this fenceline contrast. Credit: Don Schuhart.

AIDS could mean the difference between life and death. Credit: National Library of Medicine.

Good Nutrition- Feel the difference. Credit: National Library of Medicine.

Tied up outboard of the hulk of USS Oklahoma (BB-37), at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, 11 November 1944. Note: anti-torpedo netting outboard of the ships; great difference in lengths of these two battleships. Credit: NAVY.

Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

The title of the offender, and the number of his followers, make no difference in the offence, unless it be to aggravate it. (Second Treatise of Government)

In case of any difference of opinion, the League of Nations will be called on to decide. (reference)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Harriet had been conscious of a difference in his behaviour ever since those two decisive dances

With all this difference of opinion as to the cause of his decline, there could be no question of the fact

For the first time, they appeared to him absolutely distinct, and he saw the difference which separated them

There is little difference between this tractor and a tank

It makes but little difference whether you are committed to a farm or the county jail

There may be nothing behind it, but it doesn't make any difference so long as it is honoured

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Health

An eye care professional will know the difference. (references)

But much of the difference seems to be based on other factors. (references)

Still unknown is whether or not these special features make a difference. (references)

Business

Such a difference is the result of the much higher costs for imported pharmaceuticals. (references)

One reason for this fact is the difference in health care systems in the two countries. (references)

Net working capital equals the difference between total current assets and total current liabilities. (references)

Children

Nepal

The age difference in marriage often is cited as one cause of domestic violence. (references)

Belarus

There does not appear to be any difference in the treatment of girls and boys in the provision of either health care or education. (references)

Laos

There is significant difference in the treatment of boys and girls in the educational system: Female literacy is 48 percent versus 70 percent for males. (references)

Civil Liberties

Libya

The authorities tolerate some difference of opinion in People's Committee meetings and at the General People's Congress. (references)

United Arab Emirates

Apparent differences in the treatment of Muslim and non-Muslim groups often have their origin in the dichotomy between citizens and noncitizens rather than religious difference. (references)

United Arab Emirates

While recognizing the difference among Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant Christianity, the authorities make no legal distinction between Christian groups, particularly Protestants. (references)

Economic History

India

India's economic reforms have made a difference. (references)

France

The principal difference in France is, in fact, the language. (references)

Pakistan

Reservoirs can register up to a 45 percent difference between wet and dry season water levels. (references)

Human Rights

Chile

The primary difference in the middle court system is that the initial investigation and charges are brought by a military prosecutor and the first instance of appeal is in a Court Martial, composed of two civilian and three military judges. (references)

Political Economy

Malawi

There is no clear-cut ideological difference among the three political parties. (references)

FINLAND

The amount of these subsidies is determined by the difference between intervention and world prices for agricultural products. (references)

Political Rights

Belarus

A large difference between results of pre-election polls and the official tally also suggested widespread manipulation of the totals. (references)

Trade

Argentina

Import procedures vary by product and will be channeled through difference agencies accordingly. (references)

Spain

The anti-dumping duty will be the difference between the dumped price and the comparable domestic price of the exported product. (references)

Travel

Morocco

Time difference between Morocco and the East Coast is 5 hours and West Coast 8 hours during Standard Time months. (references)

Argentina

Therefore, the time difference with Eastern Standard Time is one hour, but with Eastern Daylight Time it is two hours. (references)

Sweden

One slight difference may be that the senior business people in Sweden may be a bit more "hands on" then their American counterparts. (references)

Women

Sweden

If gender is found to be the cause for a difference in salary, pay must be equalized within 3 years. (references)

Iceland

A 12 percent difference in pay may be attributable to the fact that men work on average 4.2 more hours per week than women, but the rest of the gap is unexplained. (references)

Australia

Some members of opposition political parties have attributed the difference to changes in workplace laws, such as the 1996 Workplace Relations Act, which relies on the use of individual employment contracts that are negotiated privately and thus do not necessarily foster equal pay outcomes. (references)

Worker Rights

India

The Supreme Court upheld the verdict drawing attention to the difference between a complete closedown of all activities (bandh) and a general strike (hartal). (references)

Cote d'Ivoire

In 2000 the union of employees of the company Blohorn-Unilever attempted to negotiate a reduction in the substantial difference in salary between foreign workers (especially European) and those hired locally. (references)

Cape Verde

The CFA also reported that the Government began to take measures to amend its legislation so that in the event of disagreement between the parties on the minimum services to be provided during strikes, this difference of opinion is resolved by an independent body. (references)

Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Expressions using "difference": a distinction without a difference ♦ age difference ♦ all the difference in the world ♦ appreciable difference ♦ Ascensional difference ♦ big difference ♦ bone of difference ♦ confidence interval for the difference between two proportions ♦ crucial difference ♦ dialectical difference ♦ difference diversity of opinion ♦ difference engine ♦ difference equation ♦ difference in altitude ♦ difference in depth of modulation ♦ difference in level ♦ difference in rate of exchange ♦ difference in years ♦ difference limen ♦ difference of degrees ♦ difference of gaussians ♦ difference of opinion ♦ difference threshold ♦ distant difference ♦ Galton's individual difference problem ♦ goal difference ♦ inventory difference due to inconsistent pricing of movement data ♦ it makes little difference ♦ it makes no difference ♦ it makes no difference to me ♦ level difference ♦ logical difference ♦ make a difference ♦ make up a difference ♦ marked difference ♦ parallactic difference ♦ per cent difference ♦ percent difference ♦ phase difference ♦ potential difference ♦ pressure difference ♦ see the difference ♦ sensible difference ♦ set difference ♦ small difference ♦ specific difference ♦ split the difference ♦ standardised level difference ♦ standardized level difference ♦ successive difference statistic ♦ symmetric difference ♦ Tabular difference ♦ tell the difference ♦ that doesn't make any difference ♦ that makes all the difference ♦ time difference ♦ To make no difference ♦ vast difference ♦ wide difference. Additional references.

Beginning with "difference": difference-of-squares.

Ending with "difference": age-difference, anti-difference, colour-difference, finite-difference, gender-difference, home-with-a-difference, machine-with-a-difference, no-difference, potential-difference, sexual-difference, time-difference.

Containing "difference": rank-difference correlation, rank-difference correlation coefficient.

Afrikaans

verskil (be different, differ). (various references)

Albanian

diferencë (margin), dallim (contradistinction, differentiation, discernment, discrimination, distinction, identification, relief), shenjë dalluese (badge, hallmark, insignia, logo, trademark), ndryshim (alteration, amendment, change, disparity, dissimilarity, dissimilation, dissimilitude, distinction, inflection, inflexion, innovation, manipulation, metamorphosis, modification, mutation, permutation, recast, reversal, reverse, shift, shifting, switch, transit, transition, turn, variation), mospajtim (contradiction, disagreement, discrepancy, disparity, dissent, dissidence, dissonance, disunion, incongruity, non-compliance). (various references)

Arabic 

تَم�'يِيز (discrimination), ‏فارق (discriminating, disparity, distinction), ‏فرق (allot, apportion, be afraid, be scared, become afraid, deal out, differentiate, diffuse, discrepancy, disperse, distinction, distribute, disunite, divide, give out, parcel out, part, scatter, section, separate, strew about, variance), ‏نزاع (contention, contest, controversy, disagreement, discord, discordance, disputation, dispute, division, duel, embroilment, fray, odds, quarrel, question, row, spar, squall, strife, struggle, tangle, variance, wont), ‏تفاوت (contrast, disparity, disproportion, inequality, variance, vary), ‏تمييز (differentiation, discernment, discrimination, recognition, segregation), ‏صفة مميزة (attribute, characteristic, flavor, flavour, property, savor, savour, stamp, turn), ‏خلاف (clash, conflict, contention, contest, controversy, disaccord, disagreement, discord, discordance, dispute, dissension, dissidence, disunion, disunity, division, friction, odds, quarrel, question, strife, variance), ‏التفاوت (allowance), ‏الاختلا ف, ‏إختلاف (dissimilarity, distinction, divergence, diversity, otherness, schism, variance, variation). (various references)

Bulgarian 

скарване (embroilment, spat, tiff), спор (altercation, argument, argumentation, contention, contest, contestation, controversy, ding-dong, disputation, dispute, dissension, fight, jar, polemic, rift, run in, strife, variance, velitation, word, words), разногласие (difficulty, disaccord, disagreement, discord, disharmony, dissension, dissent, dissidence, disunion, division, faction, issue, variance), различие (conflict, dissidence, dissonance, distinction, division, imparity, otherness, variation), разлика (contradistinction, contrast, distance, distinction, excess, inconformity, margin, odds, variance, variation), конфликт (conflict, dispute, interference), остатък (balance, dreg, end, odd-come-short, overage, patch, remainder, remnant, residual, residue, residuum, shank, stub, surplus, the rest), отличителен белег (badge, character, characteristic, feature, marker, note, trademark, trait), отлика, предмет на спор (issue). (various references)

Chinese 

区别 (Distinguish, Distinguishing), 區別 (to discriminate, to distinguish, to make a distinction), 差異 (discrepancy), 差別 (disparity), 差 (a messenger, a mission, different, discrepancy, error, poor, send, short of, to commission, to differ, to err, to lack, to make a mistake, uneven), 分別 (apart, distinction, respectively, separate, separately). (various references)

Czech

rozdíl (deficiency, differential, disparity, distinction, divide, excess, gulf, odds, variance, variety), nesouhlas (disagreement, disapprobation, disapproval, discordance, objection), neshoda (disagreement, dissension). (various references)

Danish

differens (set difference), forskel. (various references)

Dutch

verschil (deviation), onderscheid (differentiation). (various references)

Esperanto

diferenco. (various references)

Faeroese

munur. (various references)

Farsi 

فرق (Head, Inequality, Odds, Top, Vertex), تفاوت (Discrepancy, Diversity), تفاضل , اختلاف (Cross, Discord, Discrepancy, Disparity, Dissension, Friction, Inequality, Quarrel, Schism, Variance, Variation, Versatility). (various references)

Finnish

erotus (disparity, distinction, inequality). (various references)

French

différence (disagreement, discordance, dissimilarity), divergence (divergence). (various references)

Frisian

skeel, ferskil. (various references)

German

Unterschied (differential, discerned, distinction, distinguished, inequality, variance, variation), Differenz (disagreement, discrepancy). (various references)

Greek 

διαφορά (contrast, differentiation, discrepancy, odds, sundries, variance, variant, variation). (various references)

Hebrew 

�"ב�"ל (distinction, remainder). (various references)

Hungarian

különbség (disparity, distinction, odds). (various references)

Icelandic

munur. (various references)

Indonesian

perbenturan (clash), perbedaan (chasm, contradiction, contrariety, contrast, differentiation, discrimination, disparity, dissent, dissidence, distinction, divergence, diverification, variation), keberbedaan, furak (dissimilarity), beda (remainder). (various references)

Italian

differenza (distinguished, odds). (various references)

Japanese Kanji 

相違 (discrepancy, variation), 不同 (disorder, diversity, irregularity), 変わり (alteration, change, strangeness), 差 (variation), 差異 (disparity), 差額 (balance, margin), 差金 (margin), 別 (another, different, distinction, exception, extra, particular, separate), 懸�" (discrepancy), 階差 , 相違　 (discrepancy, variation), 相違点 , 異に , 異同 , 等差 , 違い (discrepancy), �"たり (distance, estrangement, gap, interval), 差違 . (various references)

Japanese Katakana 

ふどう (disorder, diversity, firmness, fixed, floating, idle, immobility, irregularity, motionless, steadfastness, woman's duties), とうさ (exploration, field investigation, survey), へ� たり (distance, estrangement, gap, interval), け�"かく (discrepancy, fencer, swordsman), �"とに (above all, especially), いどう (a change, migration, movement, removal, the art of medicine), ちがい (discrepancy, land tax), かいさ (sea sand), そういて�", さ (help, make, variation), さい (ability, again, alas!, aptitude, circumstances, companion, cut, debt, disparity, genius, gift, hold, how!, judge, loan, my son, on the occasion of, planting, re-, repeated, rhinoceros, son, talent, the extreme, the most, what!, -years-old), さき�" (gold dust, margin), さがく (balance, margin), べつ (another, different, distinction, exception, extra, particular, separate), そうい (consensus of opinion, discrepancy, original idea, originality, priestly rank, priest's garb, scar, variation, wound), かわり (a replacement, a turn, alteration, alternate, an exchange transaction, change, compensation, deputy, proxy, relief, second helping, strangeness, substitute). (various references)

Korean 

다름. (various references)

Malay

perbedaan. (various references)

Manx

anchaslys (discrepancy, distinction, gap). (various references)

Norwegian

forskjell (disparity, distinction). (various references)

Papiamen

diferensia, diferensha. (various references)

Pig Latin

ifferenceday.(various references)

Polish

różnica. (various references)

Portuguese

diferença (change-over, chasm, contrast, deviation, discrimination, dissemblance, distinction, earmark, variation). (various references)

Romanian

distincţie (class, distinction, elegance, eminence, honor, honour), distanţã (aloofness, distance, elongation, interval, length, odds, offishness, range, remoteness, remove, run, space, standoffishness, step), disidenţã (dissent, dissidence), diferenţia (specialize), diferenţã (disagreement, disparity, dissimilarity, distinction, observance, odds, otherness), deosebire (chasm, contradistinction, differentiation, discrimination, disparity, dissimilarity, distinction, otherness, separation), decalaj (advance, disparty, gap, odds), neînţelegere (disagreement, dissension, friction, misapprehension, misconception, misunderstanding, odds, rupture). (various references)

Russian 

различие (discrepancy, dissemblance, dissimilarity, distinction, diversity, inequality, otherness). (various references)

Scottish

difir, diùbhras. (various references)

Serbo-Croatian

razlika (distinction, divergence, divergency, remainder), nesuglasica (misunderstanding, quarrel). (various references)

Spanish

diferencia (contrariness, contrast, discrepancy, discrimination, distance, distinction, distinctiveness, distinctness, diversification, diversity, gap, variance). (various references)

Swedish

skillnad (disparity, distinction, inequality, odds), olikhet (disparity, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, diversification, imparity, inequality), differens (differential). (various references)

Thai

ทำให้แตกต่าง, ความแตกต่าง (diff, divergence, gap), ข้อโต้แย้ง. (various references)

Turkish

fark (cachet, contradistinction, differentiation, disparity, distinction, distinctness, gap, odds, variation). (various references)

Turkmen 

tapawut (differentness), parh, ьяtgeюiklik (alteration, modification). (various references)

Ukrainian

різниця (abattoir, butchery, odds, otherness), розбіжність в думках, відмінність (contrast, disagreement, disparity, divergence, divergency, diversity, otherness), несхожість (dissemblance, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, distance, inequality, otherness). (various references)

Vietnamese 

tính khác nhau, tình trạng khác nhau, sai phân phân biệt giữa, sự khác nhau (disagreement, discrepancy, variance), sự chênh lệch sự bất đ�"ng, phân biệt đối xử điều đó quan trọng, mối phân tranh, mối bất ho� (discord). (various references)

Welsh

rhagor (more), gwahaniaeth (distinction). (various references)

la-ia. (various references)

differenti, discrimen, discrimini, distantia, distantiam, distinctio, distinctionem, distinctus, diversitate, varietas, varietate, varietates, varietatibus. (various references)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Derivations

Words beginning with "difference": differenced, differences. (additional references)

Words ending with "difference": indifference. (additional references)

Words containing "difference": indifferences. (additional references)

Misspellings

"Difference" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: defferance, defference, deffrence, diference, diffedence, diffeence, differance, differene, differens, differnce, diffrence, diff'rence, ifference, ndifference. (additional references)

Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits.

Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams

-2 letters: niffered, redefine, refenced.

-3 letters: defence, definer, effendi, needier, refence, refined.

-4 letters: cinder, decern, decree, defier, define, deicer, denier, differ, edenic, feeder, fenced, fencer, fender, ferine, fierce, finder, friend, needer, nereid, niffer, recede, redfin, reefed, refeed, reffed, refind, refine, reined, riffed.

-5 letters: ceder, cered, cider, creed, cried, defer, deice, dicer, diene, diner, eerie, eider, ender.

+1 letter: differenced, differences.

+2 letters: indifference.

+3 letters: indifferences.

+4 letters: indifferencies.