difference

/ˈdɪfrəns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdɪfrəns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdi-f(ə-)rən(t)s ˈdi-fərn(t)s/ (ame, mw)

difference — noun

1. a quality or feature that makes one person or thing unlike another, or the state

1.名詞A1
釋義

a quality or feature that makes one person or thing unlike another, or the state of being unlike when two things are compared

例句

The main difference between Trang and her cousin is their height.

difference + between + nouns

There is a big difference in price between the two laptop models.

difference + in + noun

同義詞
  • distinction

    more formal, often about subtle or fine differences

  • contrast

    emphasises a clear and often striking opposition between two things

  • variation

    focuses on natural or expected differences within a group or range

反義詞

文法句型

difference + between + plural noun(s)

difference + in + noun

tell the difference between

常見錯誤

❌There is different between them.
✅There is a difference between them.
💡'different' is an adjective; 'difference' is the noun form.
❌What is the different?
✅What is the difference?
💡The adjective 'different' is often confused with the noun 'difference' in question forms.

2. a situation in which two or more people have opinions that do not match, often l

2.名詞A2
釋義

a situation in which two or more people have opinions that do not match, often leading to a short argument or quarrel

例句

Kasia and her brother had a small difference over which movie to watch.

have a difference over

The neighbours managed to settle their differences after a long talk.

settle your differences

同義詞
  • disagreement

    more general and slightly less intense than 'difference' in this sense

  • argument

    stronger, more emotionally charged, often involves raised voices

  • dispute

    more formal, often about legal or business matters

反義詞

文法句型

have a difference (over/about something)

settle/resolve your differences

put aside differences

用法筆記

Often used in the set phrases 'settle your differences,' 'put aside your differences,' or 'have a difference over/about something.'

常見錯誤

❌They had difference about money.
✅They had a difference about money.
💡Used as a countable noun, so it needs an article.
❌We made our differences.
✅We settled our differences.
💡'Make' is not the natural verb; use 'settle,' 'resolve,' or 'put aside.'

3. a continuing state in which two or more people or groups hold different views, p

3.名詞B1
釋義

a continuing state in which two or more people or groups hold different views, preferences, or approaches over a period of time without necessarily having a single argument

例句

Noor and her business partner have their differences, but they still run the company well.

have your differences

The two professors have fundamental differences in their teaching methods.

differences in

同義詞
  • disagreement

    can be used here too, but 'differences' suggests a longer-term state

  • divergence

    more formal, suggests views moving apart over time

反義詞

文法句型

have your differences (on/about/in something)

creative/political/personal differences

用法筆記

Almost always used in the plural form 'differences' or the set phrase 'have your differences.' Unlike sense 2, this does not refer to a single quarrel but to an ongoing mismatch of views.

常見錯誤

❌They have difference about politics.
✅They have differences about politics.
💡This sense is almost always plural.
❌They have a difference in teaching styles.
✅They have differences in teaching styles.
💡Use plural to describe ongoing divergence.

4. how much larger or smaller one number or measurement is when set beside another

4.名詞A2
釋義

how much larger or smaller one number or measurement is when set beside another

例句

The difference in temperature between morning and night is about ten degrees.

difference + in [measurement type]

The difference between fifteen and eight is seven.

同義詞
  • gap

    suggests a wider separation, often in scores or amounts

  • margin

    used especially for small differences in competitions, votes, or profits

反義詞
  • equality

    the state of being equal in amount or number

文法句型

difference + of + amount

difference + between + numbers/measurements

difference + in + [measurement type]

用法筆記

Countable and often followed by 'of' to specify the amount ('a difference of 20 dollars') or by 'in' to specify the type of measurement ('a difference in age'). In mathematics, 'difference' is the result of subtraction.

常見錯誤

❌The difference of temperature is 5 degrees.
✅The difference in temperature is 5 degrees.
💡Use 'in' before the type of measurement.
❌The difference is 5 degrees between them.
✅The difference between them is 5 degrees.
💡'Between' introduces the items being compared, not the measurement.

5. an important change or effect that something has on a person, a situation, or th

5.名詞B1
釋義

an important change or effect that something has on a person, a situation, or the way things develop

例句

A good teacher can make a huge difference to a child's learning.

make a difference to

It does not make any difference whether we go today or tomorrow.

make any difference

同義詞
  • effect

    a broader word for any result or consequence

  • impact

    stronger, often used for significant or lasting change

文法句型

make a difference (to/in something)

make no/any/some/all the difference

make a big/huge/real/significant difference

用法筆記

Used almost exclusively in the idiomatic pattern 'make + a/no/some/any/all the + difference.' The object of the effect is introduced by 'to' ('make a difference to someone') and the area by 'in' ('make a difference in someone's life').

常見錯誤

❌It doesn't make differences to me.
✅It doesn't make a difference to me.
💡This pattern is fixed with a singular noun.
❌Going early makes difference.
✅Going early makes a difference.
💡The noun needs a determiner ('a,' 'no,' 'any,' 'some').

difference — verb