disagreement

Everyday

1. A disagreement is when people have different opinions about something. tree →
2. A disagreement is a small argument or quarrel. tree →
3. Disagreement means not matching: disagreement between two answers. tree →

In the lessons

At school and home, children learn that disagreements are normal and can be solved calmly: listen, take turns, explain your view, find a compromise or ask an adult to help; disagreeing politely is different from fighting. In science, scientists have disagreements and settle them with evidence and tests. In maths, if two methods give a disagreement in answers, check your working. Phrases: have a disagreement, in disagreement, a disagreement about/over, settle a disagreement.

Examples

• We had a disagreement about whose turn it was. tree →
• It's OK to have a disagreement if you stay polite. tree →
• The teacher helped us settle the disagreement. tree →
• There was disagreement over which game to play. tree →
• Scientists use evidence to sort out disagreements. tree →
• My answer and the calculator's were in disagreement, so I checked again. tree →
• Hence, when a reconciliation took place between friends who had quarrelled, Ate was blamed as the original cause of disagreement. tree →

Note

Countable: disagreements. Built from dis- (not) + agree + -ment. Verb: disagree («disagree with someone about something»). Opposite: agreement.