How to pronounce difference
Say it like DIF-uh-runs. Difference has three 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 difference. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DIF
- uh
- runs
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Difference 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.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- runsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of difference
American and British speakers say difference in essentially the same way: /ˈdɪfərəns/ in the US and /ˈdɪfərəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: DIF-uh-runs.
What does difference mean?
- the quality of being unlike or dissimilar“there are many differences between jazz and rock”
- a variation that deviates from the standard or norm“the deviation from the mean”
- a disagreement or argument about something important“he had a dispute with his wife”“there were irreconcilable differences”
Where does difference come from?
From Middle English difference, from Old French difference, from Latin differentia (“difference”), from differēns (“different”), present participle of differre.
Questions about saying difference
How do you pronounce difference?
Say DIF-uh-runs. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɪfərəns/. In British English it is /ˈdɪfərəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in difference?
Difference has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIF). Broken into parts: DIF · uh · runs.
Do Americans and Brits say difference the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɪfərəns/ and the British form is /ˈdɪfərəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.