difference

A way in which one person or thing is unlike another.

• Can you spot the difference?
• The main difference between the bags is their size.
• I noticed several differences in the two versions.

How to use it: difference between A and B (What is the difference between these two phones?); difference in something (There is a noticeable difference in quality.)

Similar words: distinction

Opposites: similarity

Common phrases: spot the difference, main difference, difference between things, notice a difference

A change or effect that matters in a situation.

• Your help makes a difference.
• A short rest made a big difference to how I felt.
• Would leaving earlier make any difference?

How to use it: make a difference to someone/something (Your support made a difference to me.); make a difference in something (Better lighting made a difference in the room.)

Similar words: effect, impact

Common phrases: make a difference, make no difference, big difference, little difference

The fact that people or things are not all alike.

• We should respect cultural differences.
• Their difference in age never bothered them.
• The school encourages children to accept difference.

How to use it: difference in something (Differences in age can affect people's interests.); difference between A and B (The difference between their cultures interested her.)

Similar words: dissimilarity, diversity

Opposites: similarity, sameness

Common phrases: cultural difference, individual difference, difference in something, respect difference

A disagreement between people, especially about what they believe or want to do.

• They settled their differences.
• A difference of opinion delayed the decision.
• Can we discuss our differences without shouting?

How to use it: difference of opinion (We had a difference of opinion about the plan.); differences with someone (She put aside her differences with her brother.)

Similar words: disagreement, dispute

Opposites: agreement

Common phrases: settle a difference, difference of opinion, resolve a difference, political difference

The amount you get when you take one number away from another.

• The difference is four dollars.
• Subtract the smaller number to find the difference.
• We paid the difference when we changed our tickets.

How to use it: difference between A and B (The difference between twelve and seven is five.)

Similar words: remainder

Common phrases: calculate the difference, pay the difference, price difference, difference between numbers