different
gb/dˈɪfɹənt/ us/dˈɪfɹənt/
A2
English
~ 200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Not the same as something else
Not the same as someone or something else.
Usage pattern:
[something] is different from [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'different than' instead of 'different from' in British English, where 'different from' is preferred.
Synonyms
distinct (More formal; emphasizes clear separation or uniqueness.)
|
unlike (Often used in comparisons to stress dissimilarity.)
Antonyms
similar (Indicates having many things in common or being alike.)
|
same (Indicates no difference between the two items.)
Collocations
very different
|completely different
|look different
|different from
|different kind
Themes
comparison
|description
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her style is very different from mine.
- This book is completely different from the movie.
- He looks different after his haircut.
- They have very different opinions on politics.
- The climate here is quite different from what I'm used to.
Learner examples
- My bag is different from yours.
- This food is different from that food.
- He is different from his brother.
- The weather today is different from yesterday.
- Our houses are different.
adjective
B1
property
2
Unusual or special compared to normal
Not usual; special or strange in some way.
Usage pattern:
[something] is different
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with 'not the same as' when the emphasis is actually on novelty or uniqueness rather than direct comparison.
Synonyms
unusual (Highlights being uncommon or rare.)
|
unique (Emphasizes being one of a kind.)
Antonyms
ordinary (Common and not special.)
|
normal (Usual and expected.)
Collocations
feel different
|seem different
|something different
Themes
description
|emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I want to try something different for dinner tonight.
- She has a very different way of thinking.
- This design feels different from the others we've seen.
- He seemed different after the holiday.
- Let's do something different this weekend.
Learner examples
- Let's eat something different today.
- She looks different with short hair.
- This game is different and fun.
- He feels different today.
- We will go somewhere different tomorrow.
Grammar
Dictionary form
different
IPA
GB/dˈɪfɹənt/
US/dˈɪfɹənt/
Syllables & stress
dif - fer - ent (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (dif)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: different
Word family
Core family
difference
noun A2
differently
adverb A2
Negative and opposite forms
same
adjective A1
Advanced or less common
differentiate
verb B2
differentiation
noun B2
Expressions
different from
1/dˈɪfɹənt fɹˈʌm/
fixed phrase
Not the same as something else
Used to say that two things are not the same.
Examples
- Her taste in music is different from mine.
- This fabric is different from what we ordered.
in a different light
1/ˈɪn ə dˈɪfɹənt lˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
See something in another way
To understand something in a new or changed way.
Examples
- After hearing his story, I saw him in a different light.
- Traveling alone made me see my hometown in a different light.
world of difference
1/wˈɚld əv dˈɪfɹəns/
fixed phrase
informal
A very big difference
A very big change or difference between things.
Examples
- It makes a world of difference when you get enough sleep.
- There's a world of difference between knowing the path and walking it.
make a difference
1/mˈeɪk ə dˈɪfɹəns/
fixed phrase
Cause an important change
To have an important effect on a situation.
Examples
- Your help really made a difference in finishing on time.
- Good teachers can really make a difference in students’ lives.
- Good communication makes a big difference at work.
- Every donation makes a difference to those in need.