difference

différence

Point sur lequel une personne ou une chose se distingue d’une autre.

En anglais simple : A way in which one person or thing is unlike another.

• Can you spot the difference?
• The main difference between the bags is their size.
• I noticed several differences in the two versions.

Comment l'utiliser : difference between A and B (What is the difference between these two phones?); difference in something (There is a noticeable difference in quality.)

Synonymes : distinction

Contraires : similarity

Expressions courantes : spot the difference, main difference, difference between things, notice a difference

différence, effet

Changement ou effet qui compte dans une situation.

En anglais simple : A change or effect that matters in a situation.

• Your help makes a difference.
• A short rest made a big difference to how I felt.
• Would leaving earlier make any difference?

Comment l'utiliser : make a difference to someone/something (Your support made a difference to me.); make a difference in something (Better lighting made a difference in the room.)

Synonymes : effect, impact

Expressions courantes : make a difference, make no difference, big difference, little difference

différence, diversité

Fait que les personnes ou les choses ne sont pas toutes identiques.

En anglais simple : The fact that people or things are not all alike.

• We should respect cultural differences.
• Their difference in age never bothered them.
• The school encourages children to accept difference.

Comment l'utiliser : difference in something (Differences in age can affect people's interests.); difference between A and B (The difference between their cultures interested her.)

Synonymes : dissimilarity, diversity

Contraires : similarity, sameness

Expressions courantes : cultural difference, individual difference, difference in something, respect difference

désaccord, différend

Désaccord entre personnes, notamment sur leurs convictions ou ce qu’elles veulent faire.

En anglais simple : A disagreement between people, especially about what they believe or want to do.

• They settled their differences.
• A difference of opinion delayed the decision.
• Can we discuss our differences without shouting?

Comment l'utiliser : difference of opinion (We had a difference of opinion about the plan.); differences with someone (She put aside her differences with her brother.)

Synonymes : disagreement, dispute

Contraires : agreement

Expressions courantes : settle a difference, difference of opinion, resolve a difference, political difference

différence

Nombre obtenu en soustrayant un nombre d’un autre.

En anglais simple : The amount you get when you take one number away from another.

• The difference is four dollars.
• Subtract the smaller number to find the difference.
• We paid the difference when we changed our tickets.

Comment l'utiliser : difference between A and B (The difference between twelve and seven is five.)

Synonymes : remainder

Expressions courantes : calculate the difference, pay the difference, price difference, difference between numbers