Difference Make I People Extra ˈdɪfrəns Big Examples

• americans and brits speak the same language, but there are big cultural differences.
• there are no significant differences between the education systems of the two countries.
• he was studying the similarities and differences between humans and animals.
• i can never tell the difference (= distinguish) between the twins.

difference

1. the way in which two people or things are not like each other; the way in which somebody/something has changed
• OPPOSITE similarity
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/similarity
• Americans and Brits speak the same language, but there are big cultural differences.
• There are no significant differences between the education systems of the two countries.
• He was studying the similarities and differences between humans and animals.
• I can never tell the difference (= distinguish) between the twins.
• There's no difference in the results.
• There is a fundamental difference in approach to conservation in Japan.
• She noticed a marked difference in the children on her second visit.
• Her work questions notions of gender difference.
• What a difference! You look great with your hair like that.
• Differences among beetle species may prove to be a key factor.
• Despite their differences, the two are great friends.

Extra Examples

• Can you spot the difference between these two photos?
• Customers can see the difference in quality.
• He was very aware of his difference from the other children.
• I noticed a real difference in his attitude.
• It's difficult to tell the difference between butterflies and moths.
• One tiny mistake when you're climbing could mean the difference between life and death.
• Only an expert would know the difference between the male and the female.
• Our different attitudes to life reflect the differences in our backgrounds.
• The difference lies in the way the fruit is prepared.
• The difference with this information service is that it's free.
• The differences in size arise from the amount of sunshine each plant gets.
• The questionnaire showed vast differences in what kind of product people want.
• The study explores the differences between the way girls and boys talk.
• There are few important policy differences among the main parties.
• There is a striking difference between eastern and western Europe.
• There is one key difference with the earlier version of the software.
• There's a big difference between reading about skiing and doing it yourself.
• There's all the difference in the world between choosing to do something and being forced to do it.
• There's not much difference between baseball and softball.
• We found no significant difference between the two groups.
• We should be focusing on what we have in common rather than emphasizing our differences.
• a crucial difference of emphasis
2. the amount that something is greater or smaller than something else
• SEE ALSO goal difference
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/goal-difference
• We measured the difference in temperature.
• The difference between the two numbers gives you the profit.
• There's an age difference of six years between the boys (= one is six years older than the other).
• There is not much difference in price between the two brands.
• I'll lend you £500 and you'll have to find the difference (= the rest of the money that you need).

Extra Examples

• He didn't have enough money, but his aunt agreed to make up the difference.
• He sold the car for more than he'd paid and pocketed the difference.
• I found very little difference in size.
• If you decide on the more expensive model, you can bring this one back and pay the difference.
• The difference in price is not very significant.
• What's the time difference between London and Tokyo?
• People disapproved of their marriage because of the age difference.
3. a disagreement between people
• We have our differences, but she's still my sister.
• Why don't you settle your differences and be friends again?
• There was a difference of opinion over who had won.

Extra Examples

• We're going to get the two sides together to see if they can't settle their differences.
• They have had some minor differences, but in general they get on well together.
• Differences may arise when the young people do not have the same expectations as their parents.
• She and Luke had a difference of opinion over how much money they should spend.
• Although the talks were generally successful, differences remain between the groups.
• Like any married couple, we have our differences.
• There were some differences as to how to deal with the crisis.
• These talks aim to resolve the outstanding differences between the two sides.
4. to stop not being friendly and become friends again
• After not speaking to each other for years, the two brothers decided to bury the hatchet.
5. a point that somebody wants to suggest is a difference when in fact it is not different at all
• His government did not brand them terrorists, but rather ‘an entity that supports terrorism’. That may prove to be a distinction without a difference.
6. to have an important effect on somebody/something; to make somebody feel better
• A few kind words at the right time make all the difference.
• Just five minutes' exercise a day could make all the difference.
7. to have an effect/no effect on somebody/something
• The rain didn't make much difference to the game.
• Your age shouldn't make any difference to whether you get the job or not.
• Changing schools made a big difference to my life.
• What difference will it make if he knows or not?
• I don't think it makes a lot of difference what colour it is (= it is not important).
• ‘Shall we go on Friday or Saturday?’ ‘It makes no difference (to me).’

Extra Examples

• The extra money will make a lot of difference to us.
• What difference does it make if he doesn't have a car?
• A small number of additional jobs can make a crucial difference to economic conditions.
• The new central heating has made an enormous difference to the house.
8. used to say that you think the differences between two things are not important
• ‘That's not a xylophone, it's a glockenspiel.’ ‘Same difference.’
9. to agree to forget about your disagreements
• We need to sink our differences and present a united opposition to the plan.
10. (when discussing a price, etc.) to agree on an amount that is at an equal distance between the two amounts that have been suggested
• I offered €200 but he wanted €300. In the end, we split the difference and I paid him €250.
• I wanted to leave early and Ian wanted to leave late, so we split the difference and left at noon.
11. used to show that something is interesting or unusual
• The traditional backpack with a difference—it's waterproof.
• If you want a holiday with a difference, come to Iceland.
12. used to emphasize how much difference there is between two things
• There's a world of difference between liking someone and loving them.

Word Origin

• Middle English: via Old French from Latin differentia ‘difference’, from different- ‘carrying away’, from the verb differre, from dis- ‘from, away’ + ferre ‘bring, carry’.