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View synonyms for

differ

[ dif-er ]

verb (used without object)

  1. 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.

  2. to disagree in opinion, belief, etc.; be at variance; disagree (often followed by with or from ):

    His business partner always differs with him.

  3. Obsolete. to dispute; quarrel.


differ

/ ˈɪə /

verb

  1. often foll by from to be dissimilar in quality, nature, or degree (to); vary (from)
  2. often foll byfrom or with to be at variance (with); disagree (with)
  3. dialect.
    to quarrel or dispute
  4. agree to differ
    to end an argument amicably while maintaining differences of opinion
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • ܲ·徱f·Բ adjective
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Word 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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Word 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.

The court heard the head of the conspiracy was a man who had since died, with the seven defendants having differing roles in the gang.

From

But even within Hollywood’s overall push, there are differing priorities among stakeholders.

From

Though they differ in watchability, these two spinoffs provide viewers suffering from “Housewives” fatigue with a messy, less-produced reality TV experience, one that Bravo’s star franchise hasn’t had in some time.

From

The dire wolf genome likely differs from that of the gray wolf in millions or tens of millions of ways.

From

The outings may not seem unusual, but Heartland’s student body differs from other California schools in one major way.

From

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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