What does differently mean?
Differently is an adverb meaning 'in a different manner' — that is, in a way that is not the same as something else. It derives from the adjective 'different', which traces back to the Latin differre, meaning 'to carry apart' or 'to differ'. In everyday use, differently typically modifies verbs of thought and action, appearing in common pairings such as 'think differently' and 'do things differently'. It carries no strong connotation of its own; whether a difference is positive, negative, or neutral depends entirely on context, as in 'she saw the opportunity differently from her colleagues'. A notable extended use is 'differently abled', a euphemism for disabled that gained currency in the late twentieth century, though many now find it less satisfactory than direct language. Because comparison is central to its meaning, differently frequently co-occurs with 'from', 'than', or 'to' when introducing what something differs from.
adverbIn a way that is not the same as something else; in a different manner.
- In a different manner; not in the same way as something else.
"The two sisters approached the problem very differently."
"Each artist interprets the same landscape completely differently."
"She would have handled the situation differently if she'd known the facts."
Differently is one of the rare adverbs whose most famous modern use — 'differently abled' — was coined to replace a word it doesn't even resemble: 'handicapped'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of differently
Differently is formed from the adjective 'different' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'. 'Different' comes from Latin differens, the present participle of differre, composed of dis- ('apart') and ferre ('to carry'), so its root sense is 'carrying apart' — hence 'setting apart, distinguishing'. The word entered English via Old French in the Middle English period. Cognates sharing the same Latin root include 'difference', 'differential', and 'differentiate'.
Related word forms
How differently is actually used
Differently is neutral in register and appears freely in both formal and informal contexts. It commonly modifies verbs of cognition and action (think, see, do, behave) and often takes intensifiers such as 'very', 'completely', or 'slightly'. The euphemistic phrase 'differently abled' is well established but can be perceived as patronizing by some; many style guides now prefer plainer terms such as 'disabled' or specific descriptions.
Easily confused with differently
Indifferently means without interest or care, whereas differently means in a distinct or dissimilar manner.