DIFFER Definition & Meaning

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differ

[ dif-er ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

to be unlike, dissimilar, or distinct in nature or qualities (often followed by from ):
The two writers differ greatly in their perceptions of the world. Each writer's style differs from that of another.
to disagree in opinion, belief, etc.; be at variance; disagree (often followed by with or from ):
His business partner always differs with him.
Obsolete. to dispute; quarrel.

differ

/ ˈ��ɪ��ə /

verb

often foll by from to be dissimilar in quality, nature, or degree (to); vary (from)
often foll byfrom or with to be at variance (with); disagree (with)
dialect.
to quarrel or dispute
agree to differ
to end an argument amicably while maintaining differences of opinion

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

�ܲ�·�徱��f��·��Բ� adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of differ¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English differren “to distinguish,” from Middle French differer “to put off, distinguish,” Latin differre “to bear apart, scatter, be different,” from dif- dif- + ferre “to bear, bring, carry”

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of differ¹

C14: from Latin differre, literally: to bear off in different directions, hence scatter, put off, be different, from dis- apart + ferre to bear

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Idioms and Phrases

see beg to differ . Also see under difference ; different .

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

De Veer recalled the song had “literally no edge to it,” and differed from the “dark and edgy” nature of his compositions.

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HBO’s adaptation of “The Sympathizer” reflects a distinctly Vietnamese point of view, and while reactions to the series differ, community members agree that it bolsters Vietnamese representation.

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Some middle-income units won’t differ much from the market rate, but the housing authority said overall average rent is still expected to be 32% less than what it was under the old owner.

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At different times, statements by Trump about his tariffs are said to have differed from what his negotiating team had previously understood his position to be.

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She said that granting humanitarian parole is based on the discretion of the officer who looks at the application, which means the decision differs from officer to officer.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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