Meaning & use
differential
A difference between comparable things, especially in amount, rate, or level.
See it in a sentence
There is a significant pay differential between the two departments for similar roles.
The temperature differential between night and day can exceed forty degrees in the desert.
A note on using this word
In calculus it names an infinitesimal change in a variable; in cars it names the gear system letting wheels turn at different speeds.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. noun
(mathematics) An infinitesimal difference between successive values of a variable, used in calculus.
Students learned to find the differential of a function before tackling integrals.
3. noun
(mechanics) A gear system that allows a vehicle's wheels to rotate at different speeds when turning.
The mechanic replaced the worn differential after hearing a grinding noise in turns.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “differential”, then compare your use with the examples above.