DIFFER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does differ mean? 

• DIFFER (verb)
  The verb DIFFER has 2 senses:

1. be different

2. be of different opinions

  Familiarity information: DIFFER used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DIFFER (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they differ    ... he / she / it differs   
Past simple: differed   
Past participle: differed   
-ing form: differing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Be different

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Context example:

These two tests differ in only one respect

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "differ"):

depart; deviate; diverge; vary (be at variance with; be out of line with)

vary (be subject to change in accordance with a variable)

contrast; counterpoint (to show differences when compared; be different)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Antonym:

equal (be identical or equivalent to)

Derivation:

difference (the quality of being unlike or dissimilar)

different (differing from all others; not ordinary)

different (unlike in nature or quality or form or degree)

different (distinctly separate from the first)

different (distinct or separate)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Be of different opinions

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

differ; disagree; dissent; take issue

Context example:

She disagrees with her husband on many questions

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "differ"):

dissent (withhold assent)

clash (disagree violently)

contradict; contravene; negate (deny the truth of)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Derivation:

difference (a disagreement or argument about something important)

 Context examples 

A condition that differs from the usual physical or mental state.

(Abnormality, NCI Thesaurus)

One of the most important discoveries from constructing this pan-genome is a rare form of a gene labeled TomLoxC, which mostly differs in the version of its DNA gene promoter.

(Tomato Pan-Genome Makes Bringing Flavor Back Easier, Agricultural Research Service)

This finding may be important for understanding the relationship between weight and inflammation and how it may differ between men and women.

(Obesity May Influence Rheumatoid Arthritis Blood Tests, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Mutually exclusive alternative forms of the same gene occupying the same locus on homologous chromosomes, differing in nucleotide sequence and governing the same biochemical and developmental process.

(Allele, NCI Thesaurus)

This agent differs from other beta-lactam antibiotics because it is resistant to beta-lactamase hydrolysis, and it is usually used to treat infections caused by gram-negative aerobic microorganisms.

(Aztreonam, NCI Thesaurus)

Substrain C57BL/6 differs from other substrains at multiple loci, including H9, Igh2 and Lv, on chromosome 4.

(C57BL/6 Mouse, NCI Thesaurus)

Substrain C57BL/10 differs from other substrains at multiple loci, including H9, Igh2 and Lv, on chromosome 4 and has a high incidence of spontaneous mutations.

(C57BL/10 Mouse, NCI Thesaurus)

The origin and insertion differs between males and females.

(Bulbospongiosus, NCI Thesaurus)

The elements in each sequence were identical — only the pattern in which they were presented differed.

(Infants Are Able to Learn Abstract Rules Visually, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Their findings show that the frequency of genomic variants associated with certain diseases can differ from one group to another.

(Study of multiethnic genomes identifies 27 genetic variants associated with disease, National Institutes of Health)