different

1 of 2

adjective

dif·​fer·​ent ˈdi-f(ə-)rənt How to pronounce different (audio)
ˈdi-fərnt
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 charactersR. L. Stevenson
vastly different in size than it was twenty-five years agoN. M. Pusey
a very different situation to the … one under which we liveSir 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
differentness noun
Is it different than or different from?: Usage Guide

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.

different

2 of 2

adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for different

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

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Our values and interests are often very different from the modal Black American. Sean Illing, Vox, 9 Nov. 2024 Both Plaza and Stella play Elliott at different ages but are able to meet when young Elliott (Stella) is on a shroom trip. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024 Don’t fear being different; let your imagination wander and your brilliance shine through. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 There are no numbers to argue for an upset, nothing to point to that suggests Sunday will be different. Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for different 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1588, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of different was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near different

Cite this Entry

“Different.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/different. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

different

adjective
dif·​fer·​ent
ˈdif-ərnt,
ˈdif-(ə-)rənt
1
: not of the same kind : partly or totally unlike another
this apple is different from the others in size and color
2
: not the same : other, separate
see the same person at different times
differently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on different

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