difference

Definitions

1. noun

   The way in which things are not the same.

   Examples

   • There's a clear difference between the two designs.
   • Their difference in opinion led to a long debate.
   ≠identity≠sameness
2. noun

   A feature that makes one thing unlike another.

   Examples

   • The main difference is the color of the box.
   • Can you spot the difference between these two photos?
   ≈departure≈deviation≈divergence≈disparity
3. noun

   A disagreement.

   Examples

   • We have our little differences, but we are firm friends.
   • They settled their difference with a handshake.
   ≈conflict≈difference of opinion≈dispute≈dissension
4. noun

   A real change or effect.

   Examples

   • It won't make much difference to me.
   • Her help made a big difference to the team.
   ≈nevermind
5. noun

   The number left after you subtract one number from another.

   Examples

   • The difference between ten and four is six.
   • Find the difference between the two numbers.
   ≈remainder
6. noun

   A choice or preference.

   Examples

   • It makes no difference to me which restaurant we choose.
   • Her difference for the window seat was clear.
7. noun

   A small change added to a coat of arms to tell family members apart.

   Examples

   • The younger son's crest bore a small difference.
   • Heralds added a difference to mark the younger branch.
8. noun

   In logic, the feature that makes one kind different from others of its group.

   Examples

   • Scientists name the species by its key difference from close relatives.
   • The difference between the two types is their color.
9. noun

   In logic, an operation that is true only when two inputs differ.

   Examples

   • The circuit gives true only when a difference is found.
   • XOR works out the difference between two bits.
10. noun

    In math, the set of things in one set but not in another.

    Examples

    • The difference of the two sets has only the unique items.
    • Work out the difference between set A and set B.