differential

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəl/ 🇺🇸 /ˌdɪfɜrˈɛnʃəl/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A difference between two or more things, especially a difference in price, rate, or amount.; In mathematics, an infinitesimal change in a variable, or the product of the derivative of a function and an infinitesimal change in the independent variable.; A device in a motor vehicle that allows the driven wheels to rotate at different speeds, especially when turning corners.; In medicine, a differential diagnosis; the process of distinguishing a particular disease or condition from others that present with similar symptoms.; In electronics, a signal or voltage measured as the difference between two points rather than relative to ground.
  2. adjective
    Relating to or based on a difference or distinction between things.; In mathematics, relating to or involving derivatives or differentials.; In biology, relating to a process that distinguishes or differentiates cells or tissues.; In psychology, relating to the measurement of individual differences among people.; In engineering or mechanics, operating by or dependent on the difference between two quantities or forces.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: differentials

Collocations

differential equationdifferential treatmentpay differentialwage differentialdifferential diagnosisdifferential gear

Derivatives

differentiallydifferentiatedifferentiationdifferentiability

Synonyms

differencedisparitydiscrepancyvariationdistinction

Antonyms

similarityuniformity

Commonly confused

difference
EN: 'Difference' is the general term for a distinction between things; 'differential' is more technical, referring to a specific measured or calculated difference, especially in mathematics, mechanics, or economics.
differentiate
EN: 'Differentiate' is the verb form meaning to distinguish or to compute a derivative; 'differential' is the adjective or noun form.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember the double 'f' and the suffix '-ential' (not '-antial' or '-encial'). It derives from 'difference' but the adjective/noun form shifts to '-ential'.

💬 Examples

  1. There is a significant differential in pay between the two positions.

  2. The differential dy is equal to f'(x)dx.

  3. The car's rear differential was damaged in the collision.

  4. The doctor ordered blood tests to help narrow down the differential.

  5. The circuit uses a differential input to reject common-mode noise.

  6. The company applied a differential pricing strategy for different market segments.

  7. She is studying differential equations as part of her physics degree.

  8. Differential staining techniques help identify different types of bacteria.

  9. Differential psychology studies how individuals differ in behavior and mental processes.

  10. The differential pressure gauge measures the pressure drop across the filter.