Comparison vs. Difference — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 21, 2023
Comparison is the act of evaluating two or more things in relation to each other, while difference is the quality or condition of being dissimilar or distinct. Comparison often identifies differences, but also similarities.
Difference Between Comparison and Difference
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Comparison and difference are two terms often used interchangeably but have distinct meanings. A comparison involves juxtaposing two or more items to identify their relative similarities or differences. It's an evaluation process where one might consider various attributes of the items being compared. For instance, making a comparison between two brands of shoes might involve looking at their price, material, durability, and style.
Difference, on the other hand, strictly refers to the distinguishing factors or characteristics that make one thing distinct from another. When one speaks of the difference between two things, they are highlighting the aspects where these two do not align or match. For example, discussing the difference between the same two brands of shoes might only highlight that one is more expensive than the other or that they use different materials.
In the realm of mathematics, comparison can be about determining which number is greater, lesser, or if they are equal, while difference is about subtracting one number from another. This numeric analogy simplifies the broader conceptual distinction: comparison is about relative positioning, while difference is about distinction.
Additionally, it's possible to make a comparison without identifying any differences. For instance, one might compare two identical products from the same brand. The act of comparison remains valid even if no differences are found. Conversely, pointing out a difference necessitates that some form of comparison has already taken place, even if implicitly.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Evaluative process
Outcome highlighting distinctions
ADVERTISEMENT
Involves
Two or more items
Usually two items
Outcome
Identification of similarities and/or differences
Identification of distinctions
Use in Mathematics
Determining relative positions
Result of subtraction
Scope
Can identify both similarities and differences
Focuses only on distinctions
Compare with Definitions
Comparison
An analogous situation or example.
The rapid growth of the city has no comparison in the state.
Difference
The result of subtraction in mathematics.
The difference between 10 and 7 is 3.
Comparison
A relative measure of value, quality, or significance.
The comparison of the market rates showed that we got a good deal.
Difference
A significant change or effect.
The new policy made a notable difference in employee morale.
Comparison
The form of an adjective or adverb used for comparing.
Better is the comparison form of the adjective good.
Difference
The quality or condition of being unlike or dissimilar.
Comparison
The act of comparing or the process of being compared.
Difference
An instance of disparity or unlikeness
There is a big difference in sound between a clarinet and an oboe.
Comparison
A statement or estimate of similarities and differences.
Difference
A degree or amount by which things differ
A difference in height of three inches.
Comparison
The quality of being similar or equivalent; likeness
No comparison between the two books.
Difference
A noticeable change or effect
Exercise has made a difference in her health.
Comparison
(Grammar) The modification or inflection of an adjective or adverb to denote the positive, comparative, and superlative degrees, as in English, along with the equative degree in certain other languages, such as Irish Gaelic.
Difference
A disagreement or controversy
Let's settle our differences.
Comparison
The act of comparing or the state or process of being compared.
To bring a thing into comparison with another;
There is no comparison between them
Difference
Discrimination in taste or choice; distinction
In this case, the law should make no difference between young and old.
Comparison
An evaluation of the similarities and differences of one or more things relative to some other or each other.
He made a careful comparison of the available products before buying anything.
Difference
The amount by which one quantity is greater or less than another.
Comparison
With a negation, the state of being similar or alike.
There really is no comparison between the performance of today's computers and those of a decade ago.
Difference
The amount that remains after one quantity is subtracted from another.
Comparison
(grammar) A feature in the morphology or syntax of some languages whereby adjectives and adverbs are inflected to indicate the relative degree of the property they define exhibited by the word or phrase they modify or describe.
In English, adjectives and adverbs have three forms when making a comparison: the plain form "hot", the comparative form "hotter", and the superlative form "hottest".
Difference
To distinguish or differentiate.
Comparison
That to which, or with which, a thing is compared, as being equal or like; illustration; similitude.
Difference
(uncountable) The quality of being different.
You need to learn to be more tolerant of difference.
Comparison
(rhetoric) A simile.
Difference
(countable) A characteristic of something that makes it different from something else.
There are three differences between these two pictures.
Comparison
(phrenology) The faculty of the reflective group which is supposed to perceive resemblances and contrasts.
Difference
(countable) A disagreement or argument.
We have our little differences, but we are firm friends.
Comparison
The act of comparing; an examination of two or more objects with the view of discovering the resemblances or differences; relative estimate.
As sharp legal practitioners, no class of human beings can bear comparison with them.
The miracles of our Lord and those of the Old Testament afford many interesting points of comparison.
Difference
Significant change in or effect on a situation or state.
It just won't make much difference to me.
It just won't make much of a difference to anyone.
Comparison
The state of being compared; a relative estimate; also, a state, quality, or relation, admitting of being compared; as, to bring a thing into comparison with another; there is no comparison between them.
Difference
(countable) The result of a subtraction; sometimes the absolute value of this result.
The difference between 3 and 21 is 18.
Comparison
That to which, or with which, a thing is compared, as being equal or like; illustration; similitude.
Whereto shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Difference
(obsolete) Choice; preference.
Comparison
The modification, by inflection or otherwise, which the adjective and adverb undergo to denote degrees of quality or quantity; as, little, less, least, are examples of comparison.
Difference
(heraldry) An addition to a coat of arms to distinguish two people's bearings which would otherwise be the same. See augmentation and cadency.
Comparison
A figure by which one person or thing is compared to another, or the two are considered with regard to some property or quality, which is common to them both; e.g., the lake sparkled like a jewel.
Difference
(logic) The quality or attribute which is added to those of the genus to constitute a species; a differentia.
Comparison
The faculty of the reflective group which is supposed to perceive resemblances and contrasts.
Difference
(logic circuits) A Boolean operation which is true when the two input variables are different but is otherwise false; the XOR operation ().
Comparison
To compare.
Difference
(relational algebra) The set of elements that are in one set but not another ().
Comparison
Examining resemblances or differences
Difference
To distinguish or differentiate.
Comparison
Relation based on similarities and differences
Difference
The act of differing; the state or measure of being different or unlike; distinction; dissimilarity; unlikeness; variation; as, a difference of quality in paper; a difference in degrees of heat, or of light; what is the difference between the innocent and the guilty?
Differencies of administration, but the same Lord.
Comparison
Qualities that are comparable;
No comparison between the two books
Beyond compare
Difference
Disagreement in opinion; dissension; controversy; quarrel; hence, cause of dissension; matter in controversy.
What was the difference? It was a contention in public.
Away therefore went I with the constable, leaving the old warden and the young constable to compose their difference as they could.
Comparison
The act of evaluating two or more items side by side.
Through a detailed comparison, she chose the laptop that best fit her needs.
Difference
That by which one thing differs from another; that which distinguishes or causes to differ; mark of distinction; characteristic quality; specific attribute.
The marks and differences of sovereignty.
Comparison
A consideration of similarities and/or differences.
His comparison of the two novels revealed striking thematic parallels.
Difference
Choice; preference.
That now he chooseth with vile differenceTo be a beast, and lack intelligence.
Difference
An addition to a coat of arms to distinguish the bearings of two persons, which would otherwise be the same. See Augmentation, and Marks of cadency, under Cadency.
Difference
The quality or attribute which is added to those of the genus to constitute a species; a differentia.
Difference
The quantity by which one quantity differs from another, or the remainder left after subtracting the one from the other.
Difference
To cause to differ; to make different; to mark as different; to distinguish.
Thou mayest difference gods from men.
Kings, in receiving justice and undergoing trial, are not differenced from the meanest subject.
So completely differenced by their separate and individual characters that we at once acknowledge them as distinct persons.
Difference
The quality of being unlike or dissimilar;
There are many differences between jazz and rock
Difference
A variation that deviates from the standard or norm;
The deviation from the mean
Difference
A disagreement or argument about something important;
He had a dispute with his wife
There were irreconcilable differences
The familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats
Difference
A significant change;
The difference in her is amazing
His support made a real difference
Difference
The number that remains after subtraction; the number that when added to the subtrahend gives the minuend
Difference
A distinguishing factor between things.
The main difference between them is their approach to teaching.
Difference
A point of contention or disagreement.
The difference in their opinions led to a heated debate.
Difference
A divergence or discrepancy in characteristics.
There's a marked difference in quality between the two products.
Common Curiosities
Is comparison always about finding differences?
No, comparison can identify both similarities and differences.
Is "compare" always a neutral term?
While "compare" is generally neutral, context can give it a positive or negative connotation.
Why do people often confuse "comparison" and "difference"?
Because comparing often leads to identifying differences, the processes are closely related, leading to confusion.
Can you have a difference without a comparison?
Identifying a difference typically implies some form of comparison has taken place.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Strait vs. Isthmus
Next Comparison
Describe vs. PrescribeAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
