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difference of opinion

difference of opinion

37 3.5
A situation where two or more people disagree about something important
  • noun
  • Specialized
: diferencia de opinión
  • There was a difference of opinion concerning a gooseberry pie.
  • strong differences of opinion
  • resolve our difference of opinion
  • differences of opinion regarding

The only issue is that, you know, we all have such a difference of opinion when it comes to cakes.

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Examples

  • Teachers might identify issues in the news about which students may have a difference of opinion.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Well, there's a difference of opinion on that.

  • And that difference of opinion makes all the difference.

  • We know how to have a difference of opinion, but still work towards one common vision or one goal.

  • This is where we really, really have a big difference of opinion.

  • We have a difference of opinion about that.

  • There seems to be a difference of opinion here.

  • Gentlemen, there seems to be an honest difference of opinion.

  • We had a difference of opinion.

  • The committee reached an impasse due to a significant difference of opinion regarding budget allocations.

Synonyms

debate
vsdifference of opinion
  • Formal
∞ 2.0

A formal discussion where opposing sides argue about a topic

is any disagreement that may or may not take a formal, structured form
argument
vsdifference of opinion
687 2.3

A disagreement between people that is often angry

is the broader situation of disagreement that may lead to such exchanges
controversy
vsdifference of opinion
490 4.9

A long public disagreement that causes strong arguments between people

is a disagreement that often happens privately or briefly rather than publicly prolonged
conflict
vsdifference of opinion
482 2.3

A serious disagreement between people or groups over ideas

is a disagreement that may be less intense or not always involve strong opposing forces
dispute
vsdifference of opinion
345 3.0

A serious argument about something important that lasts a long time

is a disagreement that may or may not become prolonged or formally contested
fight
vsdifference of opinion
298 2.4

A strong argument between people or groups, often public

is the situation of differing views that may remain calm or private
disagreement
vsdifference of opinion
231 1.6

A situation when people do not have the same opinion

is this situation but often with potential to lead to heated argument or debate
difference
vsdifference of opinion
179 1.9

A disagreement between people or groups

is the same situation but often leads to argument or wider debate
clash
vsdifference of opinion
117 3.2

A short conflict between people or groups

is a disagreement that may be less confrontational or not involve direct clashes
divide
vsdifference of opinion
115 6.0

A strong disagreement between groups that causes tension

is a disagreement that can occur between individuals or groups without deep hostility
dissent
vsdifference of opinion
  • Formal
68 6.6

A public or formal statement that shows disagreement with an idea

is broader and can include simple private disagreements as well as public opposition
quarrel
vsdifference of opinion
63 2.0

An angry argument between people who are usually friendly

is a broader disagreement that may not involve anger or close personal ties
contention
vsdifference of opinion
28 6.5

A strong disagreement between people or groups

is the general occurrence of differing views, not only strongly opposed ones
dissension
vsdifference of opinion
13 7.5

A disagreement and arguing between people who must work together

is any disagreement situation including between individuals or separate groups
bone of contention
vsdifference of opinion
  • Informal
4 5.2

A subject that causes disagreement between people

is the overall state of disagreement rather than the single issue causing it
disputation
vsdifference of opinion
  • Formal
2 8.5

A formal debate where people argue and may vote to decide

is the informal or general disagreement that can lead to such formal events
contestation
vsdifference of opinion
  • Formal
1 8.4

A strong disagreement about something important

is the overall situation of differing views that may include such acts
confliction
vsdifference of opinion
1 7.5

A disagreement between ideas, people, or interests

is a specific case of differing opinions that may not form an ongoing state
disceptation
vsdifference of opinion
  • Archaic
9.9

A formal debate with strong disagreement

is the general disagreement context that can be less formal or public

Antonyms

214 1.0

A situation in which people have the same opinion or give their approval

125 2.5

Agreement and peaceful working together between people or ideas

How Strong

feud
86 4.2
argument
687 2.3
dispute
345 3.0
difference of opinion
  • Specialized
37 3.5
disagreement
231 1.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

difference + of + opinion

The meaning ‘a disagreement between people’ is directly and transparently derived from combining 'difference' (a lack of agreement) with 'opinion' (a personal view), with the preposition 'of' simply linking them. This is a common, compositional noun phrase pattern found across many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The phrase difference of opinion paints a simple picture: a difference is a gap and an opinion is a person's view, so imagine two people with a gap between what they see or think. That's why it means 'to disagree' or 'not agree'.