differ
gb/dˈɪfɚ/ us/dˈɪfɚ/
B1
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
state
1
to be unlike or not the same
To not be the same as something else.
Usage pattern:
[something] differs from [something else]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'differ' with 'different'. 'Differ' is a verb, while 'different' is an adjective.
Synonyms
vary (Implies changes or differences within a range or group.)
|
diverge (Often used for paths, ideas, or trends that move apart.)
Antonyms
resemble (Means to look or be like something else.)
|
match (Implies being the same in form or quality.)
Collocations
differ greatly
|differ significantly
|differ slightly
|differ from
|differ in opinion
Themes
comparison
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The two proposals differ in several key areas.
- Her style of writing differs greatly from mine.
- Opinions on this topic differ among experts.
- The climate here differs from that of my hometown.
- These shoes differ slightly in color from the picture.
Learner examples
- Cats differ from dogs in many ways.
- My idea differs from yours.
- The two answers differ slightly.
- Tastes differ from person to person.
- This book differs from the movie.
Verb
B2
action
2
to disagree in opinion
To not agree with someone’s opinion or idea.
Usage pattern:
[someone] differs with [someone] on [topic]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'differ' without specifying the point of disagreement, which can make the sentence unclear.
Synonyms
disagree (The most direct synonym; often more common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
agree (To have the same opinion as someone else.)
Collocations
differ sharply
|differ strongly
|differ widely
|differ with someone
Themes
communication
|conflict
|opinions
|relationships
Examples
- I must differ with you on that point.
- They differ on how to solve the problem.
- The committee members differ in their views about the project.
- We differ fundamentally on this issue.
- He differs from his colleague in his approach to teaching.
Learner examples
- I differ with you about this idea.
- They differ on what to do next.
- We differ in our opinions.
- She differs with her friend about the movie.
- I differ from him on this matter.
Grammar
Dictionary form
differ
IPA
GB/dˈɪfɚ/
US/dˈɪfɚ/
Syllables & stress
dif - fer (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (dif)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: differ
- 3rd Person Singular: differs
- Present Participle: differing
- Past: differed
Word family
Forms
differs
verb
differing
verb
differed
verb
Core family
Related words
Advanced or less common
differentiation
noun B2
differential
adjective B2
Expressions
differ from
1/dˈɪfɚ fɹˈʌm/
fixed phrase
to be unlike something else
To not be the same as something else.
Examples
- Her approach differs from mine in many ways.
- The new model differs from the old one in size and shape.
differ with
1/dˈɪfɚ wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
to disagree with someone
To have a different opinion from someone.
Examples
- I differ with my boss on this issue.
- She differs with her parents about where to live.