Cool MateDifferent vs Unlike vs Varied
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Different
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Unlike
Top 2,000 (common)B1preposition
Varied
Top 1,000 (very common)C1adjective
| Different | Unlike | Varied | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdɪfrənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdɪfrənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌʌnˈlaɪk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌʌnˈlaɪk/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈveərid/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈverid//ˈværid/"]/ |
| Meaning | not the same as someone or something else | Not like something or someone else | Different from each other; having many types. |
| Example | She has a different perspective on the issue than I do. | Music is quite unlike any other art form. | varied opinions |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | preposition | adjective |
| Collocations | appear, be, feel, very, far, clearly, from, to, than, appear, be, feel, very, far, clearly, from, to, than | unlike anything, unlike other, unlike those | be, become, extremely, fairly, very, many and varied, rich and varied, be, become, extremely, fairly, very, many and varied, rich and varied |
| Antonyms | similar, alike, same | like, similar | uniform, identical, homogeneous |
| Common mistakes | Using 'different than' instead of 'different from'., Confusing 'different' with 'difficult'., 'Different' used without a noun when it needs context. | Using 'unlike' with a verb instead of a noun., Confusing 'unlike' with 'dislike'., Incorrectly placing 'unlike' before the subject. | Confusing 'varied' with 'various'., Using 'varied' in singular form incorrectly., Omitting a noun when describing something as varied. |
| Usage notes | Used to describe things that are not alike. Appropriate in most contexts, but more formal settings may require clearer specifications of differences. | Use 'unlike' to compare differences. Common in both spoken and written English. Avoid using it in formal academic writing where more precise comparisons are needed. | Use 'varied' to describe things that have diversity, such as experiences or colors. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Different vs Unlike vs Varied
What's the difference between Different, Unlike, and Varied?
Different: not the same as someone or something else Unlike: Not like something or someone else Varied: Different from each other; having many types.
Are Different, Unlike, and Varied the same CEFR level?
Different: A1, Unlike: B1, Varied: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Different, Unlike, and Varied interchangeably?
Not always. Different, Unlike, and Varied are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.