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different

adjective
dif·​fer·​ent | \ ˈdi-f(ə-)rənt How to pronounce different (audio) , ˈdi-fərnt\

Definition of different

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : partly or totally unlike in nature, form, or quality : dissimilar could hardly be more different —often followed by from, than, or chiefly British to small, neat hand, very different from the captain's tottery characters— R. L. Stevensonvastly different in size than it was twenty-five years ago— N. M. Puseya very different situation to the … one under which we live— Sir Winston Churchill
2 : not the same: such as
a : distinct different age groups
b : various different members of the class
c : another switched to a different TV program
3 : unusual, special she was different and superior

different

adverb

Definition of different (Entry 2 of 2)

: differently
Other Words from different Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Is it different than or different from?: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Learn More about different

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Other Words from different

Adjective

differentness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for different

Adjective

different, diverse, divergent, disparate, various mean unlike in kind or character. different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness. different foods diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast. such diverse interests as dancing and football divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation. went on to pursue divergent careers disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility. disparate notions of freedom various stresses the number of sorts or kinds. tried various methods

Is it different than or different from?: Usage Guide

Adjective

Numerous commentators have condemned different than in spite of its use since the 17th century by many of the best-known names in English literature. It is nevertheless standard and is even recommended in many handbooks when followed by a clause, because insisting on from in such instances often produces clumsy or wordy formulations. Different from, the generally safe choice, is more common especially when it is followed by a noun or pronoun.

Examples of different in a Sentence

Adjective

 The two brothers could not have been more different. We need to try an entirely different approach. They met with each other on several different occasions. advertising that tries to be different That movie certainly was different. He has a very different style of dressing.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 But now, Bahamians are facing a different kind of threat. — Sanya Mansoor, Time, "Hurricane Dorian Is Gone. But the Bahamas Still Faces a Big Risk From Infectious Disease," 12 Sep. 2019 The Outer Banks look different on many levels as the barrier islands begin to reopen businesses slowly and clean up in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. — Perri Ormont Blumberg, Southern Living, "Officials Say Hurricane Dorian Has Changed the Shape of Cape Lookout National Seashore," 11 Sep. 2019 To make that scale requires a different level of automation than spinning up a new cloud server instance. — Rob Pegoraro, Ars Technica, "“Everything as a service” is coming—but we’re not there quite yet," 10 Sep. 2019 The Pierce family is a different kind of dynasty—blue-blooded New Englanders. — Rachel Syme, The New Republic, "How Succession Skewers the Rich," 9 Sep. 2019 However, in the US, which was spared the worst of the storm, the president’s insistence on a previously unsupported claim that Dorian would impact Alabama appears to have led to a different kind of frightening development. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "Orwell’s fictional Ministry of Truth just became real at the NOAA," 7 Sep. 2019 This match-up features two clubs going different ways in the second half. — Skip Snow, USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire, "St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates odds, picks and best bets," 7 Sep. 2019 Zendaya knows how to make an entrance on the red carpet, whether she's dressed as a fashionable Joan of Arc cosplayer or a glow-in-the-dark Cinderella, and last night at the BAZAAR ICONS party was no different. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Zendaya Rocked a Suit and Tie at BAZAAR ICONS," 7 Sep. 2019 Its shape is different from MRD which suggests this fossil probably belongs to A. afarensis. — Hester Hanegraef, Quartz Africa, "The skull of humanity’s oldest known ancestor is changing our understanding of evolution," 7 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

 And while traveling is all about soaking in the beauty, culture and experiencing new places, the motivation to pack up and go are different between millennials and the genreal population. — Benjamin Brown, Fox News, "Americans would rather travel to new destinations than have sex every day, study says," 28 June 2018 Is performing in London any different than performing in New York? — Adam Rathe, Town & Country, "Glenda Jackson on Her Return to Broadway in Three Tall Women," 23 Apr. 2018 Culturally and organizationally, the Kurds were different too. — NBC News, "White House chaos jeopardizes war on ISIS, U.S. commanders warn," 30 Mar. 2018 How was that experience different from heading up a Louisville kitchen? — Nancy Miller, The Courier-Journal, "Jack Fry's chef talks success in the spotlight, menu flops and his love for refried beans," 23 Jan. 2018 In a series of experiments, Digre and her colleagues tested different open-sea slaughter methods on a variety of species. — Ferris Jabr, Smithsonian, "It’s Official: Fish Feel Pain," 8 Jan. 2018 The difference in pressure creates thrust that pushes the ship forward, just like how pressure different between the upper and lower sides of airplane wings allows for takeoff. — Sophie Weiner, Popular Mechanics, "Wind Power Is Coming to Cargo Ships," 13 Oct. 2017 Things were different between Trump and the rapper back in 2004. — Yohana Desta, HWD, "Eminem Unleashes Blistering Anti-Trump Rap—and Disowns Pro-Trump Fans," 11 Oct. 2017 But diplomats and numerous European leaders say the dynamics seem different now. — Tracy Wilkinson, chicagotribune.com, "Does Trump's 'America first' policy cede U.S. global authority?," 31 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'different.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of different

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1588, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for different

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin different-, differens, present participle of differre "to carry in varying directions, delay, differ"

Adverb

derivative of different entry 1

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