American English

How to pronounce different

adjectiveA2Very common word
DIHfrnt

/ˈdɪ.fɹn̩t̚/

2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.

Not the same as another person or thing.

What to listen for

“Different” is commonly pronounced /ˈdɪfɹn̩t/, but you may also hear the fuller form /ˈdɪfəɹn̩t/. Both are natural American English pronunciations.

Common pronunciation/ˈdɪ.fɹn̩t̚/
Fuller pronunciation/ˈdɪ.fə.ɹn̩t̚/
Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

adjective

Not the same as another person or thing.

My answer is different from yours.

The two cars look different from each other.

Good to know

Use different from, not different of. In American English, different than is also common before a full sentence.

Common phrases & grammar

different opinions · different cultures · look different · different from each other

subject + be + different from + noun/pronoun

subject + look/feel/seem + different from + noun/pronoun

adjective

Another one, rather than the one already chosen, used, or mentioned.

Can we choose a different table?

She took a different train home.

Common phrases & grammar

a different option · a different time · choose a different one · try something different

a different + singular noun

choose/try + a different + singular noun

adjective

Not usual or not like what most people or things are normally like.

She has a different way of thinking.

This is a different kind of movie.

Common phrases & grammar

a different way of thinking · a different approach · a different style · something completely different

a different way of + gerund

a different kind of + noun

Useful expressions

different from

not the same as

This plan is different from the first one.

different than

not the same as; common in American English before a full sentence

The result was different than we expected.

Related words & forms