The term "difference" generally refers to the way in which two or more things are not the same or are unlike each other. It can denote:
- The state or quality of being different or dissimilar.
- A specific instance or point of unlikeness or dissimilarity.
- A distinguishing characteristic or feature that sets things apart.
- The amount or degree by which one thing differs from another, such as in size, quality, or opinion.
- A disagreement or conflict between people or groups.
In philosophy, difference is understood as the set of properties that distinguish one entity from another, often contrasted with identity, and is considered fundamental to meaning and identity construction
. In mathematics, difference specifically refers to the result of subtracting one number or quantity from another
. Thus, "difference" broadly captures the notion of distinction, unlikeness, or variation between entities, whether in everyday language, philosophy, or mathematics.
