difference

dif|fe|rence

W1S1 [ˈdıfərəns] n

1.) [U and C]

a way in which two or more people or things are not like each other

≠ ↑similarity difference between

▪ The main difference between the groups was age.

▪ There's a big difference between knowing that something is true, and being able to prove it.

difference in

▪ Researchers found a number of important differences in the way boys and girls learn.

▪ subtle differences in meaning

▪ There was a marked difference in his behavior toward me.

▪ There was certainly no difference between them in terms of intelligence.

▪ There is very little difference between the parties on green issues.

▪ There's a world of difference between us.

▪ Do children know the difference between right and wrong?

▪ See if you can spot the difference between these two pictures.

▪ Class differences still play an important role in society.

2.) [singular, U]

the amount by which one thing is greater or smaller than another

difference in age/size etc

▪ There's not much difference in price.

▪ There's a five-hour time difference between London and New York.

→split the difference at ↑split¹ (9)

3.) make a/the difference

to have an important effect or influence on something or someone

▪ Whatever she did, it made no difference.

make a/the difference to

▪ One more person wouldn't make any difference to the arrangements.

make a/the difference between

▪ It could make the difference between missing your train and getting to work on time.

▪ Having a good teacher has made all the difference for Alex (=had an important influence) .

4.) it makes no difference to sb

used to say that it does not matter to someone which thing happens, is chosen etc

▪ Morning or afternoon. It makes no difference to me.

5.) our/your/their differences

disagreements

▪ We've had our differences in the past, but we get on OK now.

settle/resolve your differences

(=agree not to argue any more)

6.) difference of opinion

a slight disagreement

▪ There have been some differences of opinion as to exactly how the money should be spent.

7.) with a difference informal

used to describe something which is interesting or unusual, especially in a good way

▪ an adventure holiday with a difference

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COLLOCATES for sense 1

big/major/important/significant difference

small/minor difference

subtle difference (=not obvious)

marked difference (=very noticeable)

there's no difference (=they are the same)

there's very little difference (=they are very similar)

there's a world of difference (=they are very different)

know/can tell the difference (=be able to recognize the difference)

spot the difference (=notice the difference)

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