What is the Latin word for difference?

The usual Latin words for “difference” are varietās, dīversitās, discrepō; also differō, distantia, dissimilitūdō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“difference” in Latin

varietāsdifference, diversity, variety dīversitāscontradiction; diversity, difference discrepōto disagree (with), differ or vary differōto carry different ways, spread, scatter, disperse, separate; to distract, disquiet or disturb someone; confound; to spr distantiadistance, remoteness; difference, diversity dissimilitūdōunlikeness, difference, dissimilitude dissēnsiōdisagreement, quarrel; dissension, conflict discidiumseparation, divorce; discord, disagreement servōto maintain, keep; to protect, save, keep, guard, safeguard, watch over; to give heed to, pay attention to; watch, obser

The English word difference itself goes back to Latin ferō, through differentia.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

difference s.

varietas: diversitas: discrepantia: differentia: distantia: dissimilitudo [SYN. in DIFFERENT]. To make no difference between one man and another, nullum personae, or personarum discrimen facere or servare: to do away with all difference between one thing and another, omnium rerum delectum atque discrimen tollere: there is a difference between, aliquid interest inter ... etc.; est, quod differat inter ... etc.: it makes a great difference whether ... or ... etc., interest (utrum) ... an ... etc.: there is a very considerable difference between ..., aliquantum interest inter, etc.; or nequaquam idem est with accusative and infinitive: there is a mighty difference between them, pernimium interest inter eos: the principal difference between men and the brute creation is, that, etc., inter hominem ac belluam hoc maxime interest, quod, etc.: there is no difference of meaning, nihil significationis interest: what a difference! quantum differt! with only this difference, illo tantum discrimine interposito: difference of character, morum distantia or dissimilitudo: difference of character and pursuits, distantia morum studiorumque. [Vid: DISTINCTION.]

Misunderstanding, dissensio: dissidium. (The words are found in this connection and order.) dissensio ac dissidium: dissidium ac dissensio [SYN. in DISAGREEMENT]. There is a difference between us, est inter nos aliqua dissensio; dissidemus inter nos: some difference sprang up between the friends, aliqua amicorum dissensio facta est. [Vid. DISPUTE, QUARREL.]

Difference of opinion, discrepantia (want of agreement); dissensio (diversity in opinion): there exists a great diversity of opinion, variae et discrepantes sunt sententiae: dissensio de hac re inter (e.g., philosophos) est: on these points great differences of opinion exist (among philosophers), de his summa (philosophorum) dissensio est; or magna dissensio est.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for difference?: The usual Latin words for “difference” are varietās, dīversitās, discrepō; also differō, distantia, dissimilitūdō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.