Word family noun difference differentiation adjective different verb differ differentiate adverb differently
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishdifferdif‧fer /ˈdɪfə $ -ər/ ●●○ W3 verb [intransitive] 1 DIFFICULTto be different from something in some way The two systems differ in many respects.differ from People differ from one another in their ability to handle stress.differ between The symptoms did not differ between the two groups.differ widely/greatly/significantly etc We soon found that prices differed enormously. Experts have differing views on the subject.2 DISAGREEif two people or groups differ about something, they have opposite opinions SYN disagreediffer about/on/over The two lawyers differed about how to present the case.► see thesaurus at disagree3 → agree to differ4 → I beg to differCOLLOCATIONSdiffer + ADVERBdiffer greatly/enormouslyModern teaching methods differ greatly from those fifty years ago.differ significantly (=in an important way)The second set of test results did not differ significantly from the first.differ considerably/widely/substantially (=greatly)Opinions differ widely on the best way to do this.differ sharply/noticeably/markedly (=in a very noticeable way)Ways of negotiating differ markedly across the Atlantic.differ radically (=very greatly)The new car differed radically from the earlier model.differ fundamentally (=in a very basic way)These paintings differed fundamentally from his earlier work.differ slightlyPrices differ slightly from one shop to another. → See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
differ• Ken Howard might beg to differ.• Critics differed about the importance of Osborne's new play.• Opinions currently differ as to the effectiveness of strategies in the professional development of teachers during the last twenty years.• People's abilities differ, but their rights and opportunities should be the same.• Rather smaller and darker than Swift and Pallid Swift, differing especially in its dark throat and faster flight.• The methods of consultants differ from company to company and from station to station.• Scottish law has always differed from English law.• The specific symptom by which our body chooses to signal stress will differ from one individual to the next.• Opinions on the subject differ greatly.• However, states differ in standards for products and the labelling thereof.• The results, on virtually every test, differed markedly from a control group of healthy adults.• A lot of painkillers are basically the same, differing only in cost.• All politicians agree that inflation must be beaten but they differ over methods of achieving this.• Thus, insight into those differing views is important to your own choices.• Scholars differ widely about when the two manuscripts were written.differing views• Fashions change at an alarming rate and at any given time experts hold differing views.• However, people with the same type of impairment had differing views concerning the suitability or unsuitability of various areas of work.• Having heard differing views during a visit to the region on Friday, Lang said difficult decisions would need to be made.• Thus, insight into those differing views is important to your own choices.• Leaders on both sides of the abortion issue took differing views of the delegate survey.• Mr. Atkins My hon. Friend knows full well that there are differing views on that subject.• Lawmakers and independent experts have expressed differing views on whether Gingrich can tap his well-stocked campaign fund to pay the recommended sanction.• We report on all the differing views which will produce the only comprehensive strategy for the advance to socialism.differ about/on/over• But they differ about just how this adaptation takes place.• Apart from differing needs of users, indexing approaches may differ on policy grounds.• Opinions differ about the breadth of opportunities now available.• Christie and Geis also sought to find out why people differ on the Machiavellian scale.• Opinion differs on the merit of pasteurization; some believe a better cheese is made from unpasteurized milk.• We continue to differ on two aspects.• Courts have also differed on whether evaluation procedures and student discipline procedures are mandatory subjects of bargaining.Origin differ (1300-1400) French différer “to delay, be different”, from Latin differre, from ferre “to carry” 