differ

differ — verb

1. To not be the same as someone or something else in appearance, quality, or chara

1.verbintransitiveA2
Definition

To not be the same as someone or something else in appearance, quality, or character.

Example

Aoi's cooking style differs a lot from her mother's traditional recipes.

differ + from + noun phrase

The two phone models differ only in the size of their screens.

differ + in + noun phrase

Common collocations
  • differ from
  • differ in
  • differ greatly
  • differ significantly
  • differ widely
Synonyms
  • vary

    focuses on range of difference across a set, not just two items

  • contrast

    emphasises strong or deliberate comparison of differences

  • diverge

    suggests moving apart from a shared starting point

Antonyms
  • match

    exact correspondence in all relevant features

  • resemble

    being similar or alike in appearance

Grammar Patterns

differ + from + noun/noun phrase

differ + in + noun/noun phrase

Usage Note

Subject can be one thing compared to another (X differs from Y) or two things compared together (X and Y differ). The preposition from is standard; avoid to or than.

Common Mistakes

This phone differs to that one in colour.
This phone differs from that one in colour.
The correct preposition after differ is from, not to.
She differs than me on this issue.
She differs from me on this issue.
Use from, not than, after differ.

2. To hold a different opinion from someone else, particularly in a discussion or f

2.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

To hold a different opinion from someone else, particularly in a discussion or formal situation.

Example

Imani and her boss differ on the best way to market the new product.

differ + on + topic

The two experts differ over the cause of the economic crisis.

differ + over + topic

Common collocations
  • differ with
  • differ on
  • differ about
  • differ over
  • agree to differ
  • differ sharply
Synonyms
  • disagree

    more direct and common; less formal than differ

  • dissent

    formal, often used in legal or official contexts

  • object

    expresses opposition to a specific point rather than general disagreement

Antonyms
  • agree

    to share the same opinion

  • concur

    formal synonym for agree

Grammar Patterns

differ + with + person

differ + on/about/over + topic

Usage Note

More formal and polite than disagree. Common in academic, professional, and diplomatic contexts. The phrase agree to differ is a fixed expression used when both sides accept their disagreement without further argument.

Common Mistakes

I differ to you about that decision.
I differ with you about that decision.
When stating disagreement with a person, use with, not to.
They differ each other on politics.
They differ with each other on politics.
The preposition with is required before the person or group.
Idioms

agree to differ/disagree

idiom

When two people accept that they have different opinions and stop arguing about it.

Maya and Tom agreed to differ about the best vacation spot.

After a long debate, they finally agreed to disagree.

I beg to differ

idiom

A polite way of saying that you disagree with someone's statement.

When Diego claimed the movie was boring, I begged to differ.

You think this plan is perfect? I beg to differ.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe how things may not be the same, but each carries a distinct nuance. Differ is the most neutral and general — it simply states that two or more items are not identical (the twins differ in height). Vary focuses on the range of difference across a group or over time — prices vary by season, opinions vary from person to person. Contrast emphasises a deliberate side-by-side comparison to highlight striking differences — her quiet voice contrasted sharply with his loud laughter. Diverge suggests moving apart from a shared origin — their careers diverged after they left the same university. Use differ for factual statements of difference, vary for describing range or fluctuation, contrast for deliberate comparison, and diverge for paths that start together and grow apart.

differ ↗vary ↗contrast ↗diverge

Common collocations

Nouns

  • opinions
  • views
  • approaches
  • results
  • versions
  • sizes
  • colours

Adverbs

Phrases

  • differ from one another
  • differ in that
  • agree to differ

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Differ comes from the Latin verb differre, a combination of dis- (meaning 'apart' or 'away') and ferre (meaning 'to carry' or 'to bear'). The original sense was 'to carry apart' or 'to separate,' which developed into 'to be unlike' by the 15th century. The meaning 'to disagree' emerged around the same time. The word entered English through Old French differer in the 14th century.