differential

A difference between comparable amounts, values, or qualities.

• The pay differential is small.
• A price differential exists between the two markets.
• The interest rate differential widened last month.

How to use it: differential between A and B (The pay differential between the two jobs is small.); differential in something (There is a large differential in wages.)

Similar words: difference, gap

Common phrases: pay differential, price differential, interest rate differential

A vehicle part that lets its wheels turn at different speeds, especially when going around corners.

• The mechanic checked the differential.
• A faulty differential made the car difficult to turn.
• The truck needs new oil in its rear differential.

Common phrases: rear differential, differential gear, differential oil

A mathematical quantity representing a very small change in another quantity.

• The differential is written as dx.
• Find the total differential of this function.
• We used differentials to estimate a small change in volume.

How to use it: differential of something (We calculated the differential of the function.)

Common phrases: differential of something, total differential, exact differential

Having different effects or applying differently in different cases.

• The policy had differential effects on families.
• Workers complained about differential treatment.
• The study compared the differential impact of two drugs.

Similar words: unequal, varying

Opposites: uniform

Common phrases: differential impact, differential treatment, differential rates

Connected with a difference between things or used to show that difference.

• The instrument measures differential pressure.
• These differential characteristics help identify the two species.
• A differential diagnosis considers several possible causes of the symptoms.

Common phrases: differential pressure, differential diagnosis, differential characteristics

Connected with the mathematical study of how quantities change.

• We studied differential calculus today.
• She solved a differential equation.
• Differential methods describe how the population changes over time.

Common phrases: differential calculus, differential equation, differential operator