How to pronounce differ
Say it like DIF-er. Differ has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce differ. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DIF
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Differ pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DIFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of differ
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: DIF-uh.
What does differ mean?
- be different“These two tests differ in only one respect”
- be of different opinions“I beg to differ!”“She disagrees with her husband on many questions”
Where does differ come from?
From Middle English differren, from Old French differer, from Latin differō (“carry apart, put off, defer; differ”), from dis- (“apart”) + ferō (“carry, bear”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with differ
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of differ.
Questions about saying differ
How do you pronounce differ?
Say DIF-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɪfɚ/. In British English it is /ˈdɪfə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in differ?
Differ has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIF). Broken into parts: DIF · er.
Is differ pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈdɪfə/ (DIF-uh).