Vocabulary for IELTS (General) - Similarity and Difference

Here you will learn some English words about similarity and difference, such as "distinguish", "diverse", "variety", etc. that are needed for the IELTS exam.

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to contrast

[Verb]

to compare two people or things so that their differences are noticeable

Ex: She is currently contrasting the different approaches to problem-solving.

to differ

[Verb]

to be different from something or someone

Ex: His opinion on the matter differs significantly from that of his colleagues.

to differentiate

[Verb]

to recognize the difference present between two people or things

Ex: The teacher helps her students differentiate between similar-sounding words by highlighting their distinct meanings and usage.

to distinguish

[Verb]

to recognize and mentally separate two things, people, etc.

Ex: The detective could distinguish the authentic painting from the clever forgery.

to vary

[Verb]

to make changes to or modify something, making it slightly different

Ex: The chef likes to vary the ingredients in her recipes, experimenting with different herbs and spices.

to compare

[Verb]

to examine or look for the differences between of two or more objects

Ex: She literally took an hour comparing prices before making a purchase.

to resemble

[Verb]

to have a similar appearance or characteristic to someone or something else

Ex: The two sisters closely resemble each other, sharing the same eyes and smile.

contrary

[Adjective]

completely different or opposed in basic qualities or usual behaviors

Ex: Despite their contrary opinions on the project, they managed to find a compromise that satisfied everyone.

conversely

[Adverb]

in a way that is different from what has been mentioned

Ex: While the forecast predicted a sunny day, conversely, a sudden and unexpected storm rolled in.

distinct

[Adjective]

separate and different in a way that is easily recognized

Ex: The twins may look similar, but they have distinct personalities that set them apart.

diverse

[Adjective]

showing a variety of distinct types or qualities

Ex: The team consisted of individuals from diverse backgrounds, bringing a range of experiences and perspectives to the table.

alike

[Adjective]

(of two or more things or people) having qualities, characteristics, appearances, etc. that are very similar but not identical

Ex: The two houses had nearly alike floor plans, with only minor differences in layout.

comparable

[Adjective]

having similarities that justify making a comparison

Ex: The two products are comparable in price and quality

equivalent

[Adjective]

having the same meaning, quality, value, etc. as a different person or thing

Ex: Completing an online or correspondence course would serve as an equivalent requirement to the traditional classroom version.

identical

[Adjective]

similar in every detail and totally alike

Ex: The two keys are identical; I can't distinguish one from the other.

similar

[Adjective]

(of two or more things) having qualities in common that are not exactly the same

Ex: He discovered that the two restaurants had similar menus, offering a variety of international cuisine.

homogeneous

[Adjective]

composed of things or people of the same or very similar type

Ex: The neighborhood was homogeneous, consisting mainly of single-family homes.

indistinguishable

[Adjective]

impossible to differentiate or recognize as different

Ex: The identical twins looked so alike that they were indistinguishable from each other.

sort of

[Adverb]

to a degree or extent that is unclear

Ex: The movie was entertaining, but I sort of expected a more engaging storyline.

distinction

[noun]

an obvious difference between two similar or related things or persons

Ex: The distinction between the two candidates was clear, with one focusing on innovation and the other on tradition.

variety

[noun]

a range of things or people with the same general features but different in some details

Ex: The garden showcased a beautiful variety of flowers, each with its unique color and fragrance.

variation

[noun]

a slight change in level, amount, magnitude, etc. of something

Ex: There is a small variation in temperature between day and night.

collision

[noun]

a serious disagreement between people, ideas, opinions, etc.

anomaly

[noun]

something that deviates from what is considered normal, expected, or standard

Ex: Scientists were puzzled by the orbital anomaly of a newly discovered asteroid that didn't fit theories of planetary motion.

congruent

[Adjective]

similar and in agreement with something

Ex: His actions were congruent with his words, showing integrity and honesty.

copycat

[noun]

a person who imitates the actions, clothes, ideas, etc. of someone else

Ex: In the fashion industry, designers often face challenges with copycat brands imitating their latest creations.

generic

[Adjective]

relating to or suitable for a whole group or class of things rather than a specific one

Ex: The store offers a generic brand of cereal that isn't tied to any major company.

chasm

[noun]

a profound division separating people, beliefs, or viewpoints

Ex: Political tensions exposed a chasm between urban and rural voters.

to counterpoint

[Verb]

to highlight differences by comparison

Ex: The author counterpointed modern life with scenes from the past.

differential

[Adjective]

different in comparison to something else based on the circumstances

Ex: The company offers employees a higher salary based on their level of experience, creating a pay scale with differential wages.

Vocabulary for IELTS (General)
Persuasion and Involvement	Similarity and Difference	Signposting	Problems and Solutions
Being in Charge	Talking about Senses	Possession	Talking about Change
Talking about Events and Incidents	Lifestyles	Tourism	The Planet Earth
Phrasal Verbs

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