different

different — adjective

1. not like another person or thing; having features or qualities that set someone

1.adjectiveA1
Definition

not like another person or thing; having features or qualities that set someone or something apart from someone or something else so that the two are not identical.

Example

Jisoo's taste in music is very different from her brother's.

different from + noun: shows comparison

These two boxes look the same, but the things inside are different.

Common collocations
  • different from
  • completely different
  • very different
  • different ways
  • different kinds
  • quite different
Synonyms
  • dissimilar

    more formal; suggests a stronger contrast than 'different'

  • distinct

    emphasizes clear separation between two things

  • contrasting

    highlights differences, often for effect or comparison

Antonyms
  • same

    the direct opposite; identical in every way

  • similar

    shares some qualities but not identical

Grammar Patterns

different + from/to/than + noun/pronoun

different + plural noun

Usage Note

The preposition that follows 'different' varies by region: 'different from' is standard everywhere; 'different to' is common in British English; 'different than' is widely used in American English, though some consider it less formal.

Common Mistakes

My bag is different of yours.
My bag is different from yours.
'different of' is never correct; use 'from' (or 'to' / 'than' depending on region).
There are different three ways to solve this.
There are three different ways to solve this.
The number comes before 'different', not after.

2. strange or unusual in a way that makes you think something is not quite right, o

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

strange or unusual in a way that makes you think something is not quite right, or that a person's choice or action stands out from what others would normally do or find acceptable.

Example

Ari wore a different outfit to the interview — bright yellow shoes and a red suit.

different outfit + to: unusual choice for the setting

Nellie's room looks different — I never saw curtains on a ceiling.

Common collocations
  • a bit different
  • a little different
  • rather different
  • that's different
Synonyms
  • unusual

    more neutral; can be positive or negative

  • odd

    stronger negative feeling; implies something is strange

  • peculiar

    suggests something is strange in a specific or hard-to-describe way

Antonyms
  • normal

    what is expected or typical

  • ordinary

    not special or unusual in any way

Grammar Patterns

be + a bit/little/rather + different

that's + different (in exclamatory use)

Usage Note

When the goal is to express clear disapproval, words like 'odd', 'strange', or 'unusual' are more direct. Using 'different' for this sense often softens the criticism — the listener may need context to know whether the speaker means it positively or negatively.

Common Mistakes

His behavior was different which was good.' (when you mean unusual in a bad way)
His behavior was different
he kept looking at the floor and would not speak.' — Provide context so the reader understands the negative connotation.
I like your different painting.' (ambiguous)
Your painting is certainly different
I have never seen one with such bright colors.' — In this sense, 'different' usually sounds clearer when it comes after the verb.
Idioms

be another/a different matter

idiom

Used to say that something is very different from what was just mentioned.

Finding the street is easy, but locating the exact house is a different matter.

I enjoy hiking, but climbing a mountain in winter is another matter entirely.

a different kettle of fish

idiom

Refers to a situation or person that is completely different from what was previously discussed.

Living with a roommate is one thing; living with your in-laws is a different kettle of fish.

I can handle small dogs, but a Great Dane is a different kettle of fish.

know different/otherwise

idiom

To have information that proves the opposite of what someone says or believes.

He claims he finished the project alone, but his teammates know different.

The manager thinks we're on schedule, but I know otherwise from the reports.

pull in different/opposite directions

idiom

To have goals or interests that conflict with each other, causing problems.

The marketing and sales teams are pulling in different directions, hurting profits.

My desire for a quiet life and my ambition pull me in opposite directions.

put a new/different complexion on something

idiom

To change the way a situation is understood or viewed.

The new evidence puts a different complexion on the entire case.

Her apology put a new complexion on our argument, making me reconsider.

sing a different tune

idiom

To change one's opinion or attitude, especially after a new experience.

He used to criticize the policy, but now he sings a different tune.

After failing the exam, Maya is singing a different tune about studying.

tell a different story/tale

idiom

To provide information that contradicts what is expected or previously stated.

The official report is optimistic, but the numbers tell a different story.

Everyone thinks the project is easy, but the timeline tells a different tale.

different — adverb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words point to things not being identical, but they differ in emphasis. 'Different' is the broadest, everyday word — use it for any two things that are not the same ('My car is different from yours'). 'Distinct' stresses that the difference is clear and the two things should not be confused ('The two species are distinct — they cannot breed together'). 'Dissimilar' is more formal and often used in technical or written contexts to describe structural or fundamental differences ('The two proposals are dissimilar in their core assumptions'). 'Separate' focuses on physical or conceptual division ('Keep the white and dark laundry separate'). 'Contrasting' highlights differences that are striking, often set side by side for effect ('The artist used contrasting colors — bright orange next to deep blue'). In everyday conversation, 'different' is the natural choice; the other words add precision about what kind of difference is meant.

different ↗distinct ↗dissimilarseparate ↗contrasting

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a different story
  • a different matter
  • a different ball game

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'different' entered English in the 1300s from Old French 'differer', which came from Latin 'differre' — a combination of 'dis-' (apart, away) and 'ferre' (to carry, to bear). Literally 'to carry apart', the word has carried the sense of separation and unlikeness since its earliest use. By the 1500s it was already being used both for objective unlikeness (things are not the same) and for subjective strangeness (someone is not like everyone else), a split that survives in the two main adjective senses today.