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different

When using "different" to mean 'not the same', it is most commonly followed by the word "from" (e.g., "This book is different from that one"). In some regions, especially in the UK, you may hear people say "different to," while in the US, "different than" is also frequently used in casual speech. Be careful not to confuse 'different' (meaning dissimilar) with 'various' (meaning several different types). For example, "three different hotels" emphasizes that each hotel is a separate entity.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, David is staring at his laptop screen in a conference room while Brian is in the server room.
David Smith

My login isn't working. This screen looks totally different than usual.

David Smith
Brian
Brian

You're probably just tripping. Try a hard reset and stop bugging me.

💡
David is confused by a UI change, making 'different' the central point of his technical complaint. Brian uses the slang 'tripping' (meaning to be mistaken or acting crazy) and the phrasal verb 'bugging me' (annoying him), reflecting his grumpy personality.

Meanings

adjective

Not the same as another or each other; dissimilar.

"The two sisters have very different personalities."

adjective

Distinct or separate from one another.

"We will be staying in three different hotels during our trip."

adjective

Unusual, original, or unconventional.

"She has a very different approach to solving mathematical problems."

Last Updated: May 22, 2026Report an Error