French word

différer

Pronunciation

IPA/difeʁe/

Meaning

  • verbdiffer

Example

Son opinion diffère de la mienne.

His opinion differs from mine.

Illustration for différer (differ)

More examples

Nous devons différer la réunion à demain.

We must postpone the meeting until tomorrow.

Core concept

Something held apart from another, or held back from the present moment.

Common phrases

  • différer de

    differ from

  • différer un rendez-vous

    postpone an appointment

  • différer d'opinion

    differ in opinion

Similar words

reporter: To delay an event or deadline until a later date or time.
ressembler: To share similar features or qualities with something else.
varier: To change depending on the time or conditions.

Definition in French

Dire qu'une chose n'est pas identique à une autre (souvent formulé «différer de»); comme verbe transitif en langue soutenue, signifier le report dans le temps.

Word origin

French différer comes from Latin differre, built from dis- meaning 'apart' and ferre meaning 'carry', with senses that developed toward being unlike and putting something off.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English differ, French uses de after différer: différer de quelque chose.

Other meanings

  • postponeverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word