difference

Everyday

1. In maths, the difference is how much bigger one number is than another; you find it by subtracting. tree →
2. A difference is a way in which two things are not the same: spot the differences. tree →
3. To make a difference is to change something, often for the better. tree →

In the lessons

the answer to «how many more/fewer … than» (subtract the smaller from the bigger); in class «find the difference between», «spot the difference»; in science differences between animals or materials; in everyday life «it makes no difference», «make a difference»

Examples

• Here the word «more» does not mean adding: it asks how big the difference is. tree →
• What is the difference between 15 and 9? tree →
• Find the difference between Tom's 12 stickers and Ann's 7. tree →
• The difference between 20 and 13 is 7. tree →
• Can you spot five differences between the pictures? tree →
• One difference between frogs and toads is their skin. tree →
• Recycling makes a big difference to our planet. tree →
• Twins can look the same, but there are small differences. tree →

Note

Difference means subtract the smaller from the bigger. Trap: the word «more» in «how many more … than» asks for a difference, not a sum. Adjective «different». Check: smaller number + difference = bigger number.

In Jewish tradition

God makes a difference between Israel and the Egyptians, and Israel must tell holy from common and clean from unclean.

Interpretation. Tradition calls this "havdalah", or separating, a key idea of Judaism that is also marked at the end of Shabbat.

Examples

• And that ye may put difference between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean; (Torah LEV.10.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• to make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the living thing that may be eaten and the living thing that may not be eaten. (Torah LEV.11.47, JPS 1917) tree →
• But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog whet his tongue, against man or beast; that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. (Torah EXO.11.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. (Prophets EZK.44.23, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Difference means subtract the smaller from the bigger. Trap: the word «more» in «how many more … than» asks for a difference, not a sum. Adjective «different». Check: smaller number + difference = bigger number.