B2verb2K

Differ

UK /["/ˈdɪfə(r)/","/ˈdɪfəz/","/ˈdɪfəd/","/ˈdɪfərɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˈdɪfər/","/ˈdɪfərz/","/ˈdɪfərd/","/ˈdɪfərɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to be different from somebody/something

In simple words: To be not the same as something else.

Examples

  • Opinions differ greatly among experts on this topic.
  • The two proposals differ in cost and duration.
  • Our tastes differ when it comes to music genres.
  • She and her sister differ genetically.
  • Cultural practices differ between regions and countries.
  • The two candidates differ fundamentally on education policy.

Usage notes

Use 'differ' in formal contexts to compare things. Avoid using it in very casual conversations where simpler words like 'are not the same' might be more common.

Grammar pattern

differ + from + object

Memory hint

Think of 'differ' as 'different' — they both mean not the same.

Collocations

  • considerably
  • dramatically
  • enormously
  • according to
  • among
  • between
  • agree to
  • beg to
  • about
  • over
  • on

Synonyms

  • vary
  • diverge
  • contrast
  • deviate
  • disagree

Antonyms

  • agree
  • match
  • correspond

Common mistakes

  • 'Differ with' is often incorrectly used instead of 'differ from'.
  • Learners sometimes confuse 'differ' with 'disagree', but they mean different things.
  • Some learners forget to use 'from' after 'differ'.